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Zhàng

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Zhang
Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinzhàng
Wade–Gileschang4

The zhang (Chinese: ) is a customary Chinese unit of length equal to 10 chi (Chinese feet).[1][2] Its value varied over time and place with different values of the chi, although it was occasionally standardized. In 1915, the Republic of China set it equal to about 3.2 meters or 3.50 yards. In 1930, this was revised to an exact value of 3⅓ meters (about 3.645 yd).

It is not commonly used in mainland China today but appears in traditional Chinese architecture, where it was commonly used to measure bays.

In Japanese units of measurement, the () is equivalent to ten shaku, or 3.03 meters.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ United States Joint Publications Research Service (1963). Chinese-English Dictionary of Modern Communist Chinese Usage. U.S. Department of Commerce Joint Publications Research Service. p. 737.
  2. ^ Lee, Keekok (2008). Warp and Weft: Chinese Language and Culture. Strategic Book Publishing. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-60693-247-6.
  3. ^ Heino Engel (1985). Measure and construction of the Japanese house. Tuttle Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-8048-1492-8.