Convert Chinese Jin to Taiwan Jin easily.
1 斤 x 0.8333 = 0.8333 台斤
Discover other related calculators
Ever walked into a Taiwanese tea shop and heard someone ask for "half a Jin" of oolong? If you’re used to mainland China’s measurements, that request might leave you scratching your head. The Jin, a traditional East Asian weight unit, splits into regional variations—like dialects in a language. Today, we’re unraveling the differences between the Chinese Jin and Taiwan Jin. Whether you’re haggling at a night market or shipping goods, understanding this conversion is more practical than you’d think.
Unit definitions
What is a chinese jin (斤)?
The Chinese Jin, pronounced "jin" and written as 斤, is a unit of mass rooted in China’s imperial past. One Jin equals 500 grams (0.5 kilograms) in modern mainland China. It’s widely used for groceries, produce, and even body weight in informal settings. Think of it as China’s version of the pound—ubiquitous but not officially metric.
- Symbol: 斤
- Common uses: Food markets, agriculture, textiles
- Definition: 1 Chinese Jin = 500 grams
What is a taiwan jin (台斤)?
The Taiwan Jin, locally called "taijin" and written as 台斤, is Taiwan’s adaptation of the traditional Jin. Slightly heavier, it’s set at 600 grams (0.6 kilograms). This adjustment happened in the mid-20th century to streamline trade. You’ll see it in night markets for everything from mangoes to pork belly.
- Symbol: 台斤
- Common uses: Wet markets, tea sales, small-scale commerce
- Definition: 1 Taiwan Jin = 600 grams
Conversion formula
To convert Chinese Jin to Taiwan Jin:
Taiwan Jin = Chinese Jin × (500 / 600) = Chinese Jin × 0.8333
For Taiwan Jin to Chinese Jin:
Chinese Jin = Taiwan Jin × 1.2
Example calculations
- Converting 3 Chinese Jin to Taiwan Jin:
3 × 0.8333 = 2.5 Taiwan Jin
(Perfect for buying 3斤 of tea leaves in Taiwan!) - Converting 5 Taiwan Jin to Chinese Jin:
5 × 1.2 = 6 Chinese Jin
(Useful if shipping Taiwanese mangoes to Shanghai.)
Conversion tables
Chinese Jin to Taiwan Jin
| Chinese Jin (斤) | Taiwan Jin (台斤) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.8333 |
| 2 | 1.6666 |
| 3 | 2.5 |
| 4 | 3.3333 |
| 5 | 4.1666 |
| 6 | 5 |
| 7 | 5.8333 |
| 8 | 6.6666 |
| 9 | 7.5 |
| 10 | 8.3333 |
Taiwan Jin to Chinese Jin
| Taiwan Jin (台斤) | Chinese Jin (斤) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.2 |
| 2 | 2.4 |
| 3 | 3.6 |
| 4 | 4.8 |
| 5 | 6 |
| 6 | 7.2 |
| 7 | 8.4 |
| 8 | 9.6 |
| 9 | 10.8 |
| 10 | 12 |
Historical background
The Jin’s history traces back over 2,000 years to China’s Han Dynasty, where it was part of a broader system called "shìzhì" (市制). Originally, 1 Jin equaled 16 liang (两), roughly 250 grams. Fast forward to teh 20th century—mainland China metricated the Jin to 500 grams in 1959, while Taiwan, influenced by Japanese colonial measures (1895–1945), set theirs at 600 grams post 1949. This tweak aimed to align with regional trade practices, creating a quiet divide still felt in markets today.
Interesting facts
- Night Market Math: In Taipei’s Shilin Market, vendors often quote prices per Taiwan Jin. A 100 NTD/kg steak is actually 120 NTD per Chinese Jin.
- Tea Culture: High-mountain oolong tea is sold in Taiwan Jin, making bulk orders from China 20% lighter per unit.
- Cross-Strait Trade: Exporters must adjust Jin values in contracts to avoid disputes.
- Hong Kong Twist: Hong Kong uses its own Jin (604.789 grams), adding another layer to conversions.
- Name Game: Both units share the "Jin" name, causing confusion for travelers. Always check the symbol: 台斤 vs. 斤!
FAQ
Taiwan adopted a modified version of the Jin post-1949, adjusting it to 600 grams for trade standardization.
1 Taiwan Jin equals 600 grams, compared to 500 grams in mainland China.
Yes! Many traditional recipes use Jin measurements, especially in markets.
Absolutely. It’s common in wet markets and tea shops for weighing goods.
Multiply Chinese Jin by 0.8333 to get Taiwan Jin, or multiply Taiwan Jin by 1.2 for Chinese Jin.