公斤 (gōngjīn) — kilogram
HSK 2 | measure word/noun | the metric unit of weight equal to one kilogram
公斤 (gōngjīn)
公斤 is the standard Chinese term for kilogram, the metric unit of mass. 公 indicates "metric/official" (from 公制, the metric system) and 斤 is the traditional Chinese unit of weight (approximately 500 grams). So 公斤 is literally "official jin," standardized to 1,000 grams.
Meanings
- [measure word/noun] Kilogram (kg). Used to measure weight in the metric system.
Example Sentences
这个西瓜有五公斤。 Zhège xīguā yǒu wǔ gōngjīn. This watermelon weighs five kilograms.
我的行李超过了二十公斤。 Wǒ de xínglǐ chāoguò le èrshí gōngjīn. My luggage exceeded twenty kilograms.
医生说我需要减少三公斤。 Yīshēng shuō wǒ xūyào jiǎnshǎo sān gōngjīn. The doctor said I need to lose three kilograms.
这袋大米重十公斤。 Zhè dài dàmǐ zhòng shí gōngjīn. This bag of rice weighs ten kilograms.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 多少公斤 (duōshǎo gōngjīn) | how many kilograms |
| 公斤数 (gōngjīn shù) | kilogram amount |
| 超重 (chāozhòng) | overweight (luggage) |
| 斤 (jīn) | jin (500 g, traditional unit) |
| 克 (kè) | gram |
Memory Hook
公 = official/metric, 斤 = traditional Chinese pound (500 g). One 公斤 is two traditional 斤. Think of it as the metric "upgrade" of the old Chinese weight unit.