Fen (length)

The fen (Chinese: 分; pinyin: fēn) in Mandarin, fan in Cantonese or hun in Taiwanese, is a traditional Chinese unit of length. One fen equals 1/10 of a cun or 1/100 of a chi. It is 3+1⁄3 mm in China mainland, 3.71475 mm in Hong Kong and 3.030 mm in Taiwan. [1] [2]

China mainland

Table of Chinese length units effective since 1930[3]
Pinyin Character Relative value Metric value Imperial value Notes
háo 毫 1⁄10 000 33+1⁄3 μm 0.00131 in Chinese mil
lí 釐 (T) or 厘 (S) 1⁄1000 1⁄3 mm 0.0131 in Chinese calibre
fēn 市分 1⁄100 3+1⁄3 mm 0.1312 in Chinese line
cùn 市寸 1⁄10 3+1⁄3 cm 1.312 in Chinese inch
chǐ 市尺 1 33+1⁄3 cm 13.12 in Chinese foot
zhàng 市丈 10 3+1⁄3 m 3.645 yd Chinese yard
yǐn 引 100 33+1⁄3 m 36.45 yd Chinese chain
lǐ 市里 1500 500 m 546.8 yd Chinese mile, this li is not the small li above,
which has a different character and tone

Hong Kong and Macau

Table of Chinese length units in Hong Kong[4] and Macau[5]
Jyutping Character English Portuguese Relative value Metric value Imperial value Notes
fan1 分 fen, fan condorim 1⁄100 3.71475 mm 0.1463 in
cyun3 寸 cun, tsun ponto 1⁄10 37.1475 mm 1.463 in Hong Kong and Macau inch
cek3 尺 chi, chek côvado 1 371.475 mm 1.219 ft Hong Kong and Macau foot

These correspond to the measures listed simply as "China" in The Measures, Weights, & Moneys of All Nations [6]

Taiwan

Length measure in Taiwan is largely metric but some units derived from traditional Japanese units of measurement remain in use as a legacy of Japanese rule.[7]

Table of Traditional Chinese Length Units since 1930
Unit Taiwanese
feet 		Metric US & Imperial Notes
Taiwanese Hokkien Hakka Mandarin Character Exact Approx. Exact Approx.
Hun Fûn Fēn 分 1⁄100  ⁠1/330⁠ m 3.030 mm ⁠125/37,719⁠ yd 0.1193 in Same as Japanese Bu
Chhùn Chhun Cùn 寸 1⁄10  ⁠1/33⁠ m 3.030 cm ⁠1250/37,719⁠ yd 1.193 in Taiwanese inch; Same as Japanese Sun
Chhioh Chhak Chǐ 尺 1   ⁠10/33⁠ m 30.30 cm ⁠12,500/37,719⁠ yd 11.93 in Taiwanese foot; Same as Japanese Shaku
Tn̄g Chhong Zhàng 丈 10   ⁠100/33⁠ m 3.030 m ⁠125,000/37,719⁠ yd 9 ft 11.3 in Taiwanese fathom; Same as Japanese Jō

Taiwanese length units and the translation of length units in metric system (SI) shares the same character. The adjective Taiwanese (台) can be added to address the Taiwanese unis system. For example, 台尺 means Taiwanese foot and 公尺 means meter.

Compounds

  • "分寸" is a Chinese word which literally means fen and cun, two traditional Chinese units of length; figuratively, it refers to the sense of propriety, or the proper degree for saying or doing something. For example, "说话要注意分寸。" (Pay attention to the sense of propriety in speaking.)[8] [9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Language Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (2020). 新华字典 （附录：计量单位简表）(Xinhua Dictionary (Appendix: Brief table of measurement units)) (in Chinese) (12th ed.). Beijing: The Commercial Press. p. 696. ISBN 978-7-100-17093-2.
  2. ^ https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/分
  3. ^ "The Weights and Measures Act (1929)". Legislative Yuan. Archived from the original on 2014-04-25.
  4. ^ Cap. 68 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE
  5. ^ Law No. 14/92/M ((in Chinese) 第14/92/M號法律; (in Portuguese) Lei n.o 14/92/M)
  6. ^ W. S. B. Woolhouse (1859), The Measures, Weights, & Moneys of All Nations (And an Analysis of the Christian, Hebrew, and Mahometan Calendars), J. Weale
  7. ^ "Weights and Measures in Use in the ROC". Government Information Office. 2001.
  8. ^ Language Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (2016). Contemporary Chinese Dictionary (in Chinese) (7th ed.). Beijing: Commercial Press. p. 381. ISBN 978-7-100-12450-8.
  9. ^ https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/分寸