[[Radicals|Radicals]] #Radicals #4-Strokes ## 斤 (jīn) Kanxi Radical 69 ![[斤 (jīn).svg]] ## Meaning The radical 斤 (jīn) in Chinese characters also has several meanings and uses: 1. **Measurement**: 斤 originally referred to a unit of weight in ancient China, equivalent to approximately 0.5 kilograms or about 1.1 pounds. It is still used as a weight unit in some contexts. 2. **Radical**: In the context of Chinese characters, 斤 is a radical (部首 - bùshǒu), which means it is a component frequently found in characters. As a radical, 斤 appears on the left side of some characters and contributes to their meanings or sometimes their pronunciation. 3. **Symbolic Meaning**: Beyond its literal and linguistic uses, 斤 can carry symbolic meanings related to weight, balance, or even justice, especially in idiomatic expressions or symbolic language. ## Examples [[丘 qiū]] - hill [[匠 jiàng]] - craftsman; artisan [[所 suǒ]] - place, location