錙 (zī) - Ancient unit of weight equal to one-quarter of & used metaphorically to indicate extremely small amounts or

錙Tone 1

zī ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

志

錙 · zī

Ancient unit of weight equal to one-quarter of a tael (about 3.

73 grams);

used metaphorically to indicate extremely small amounts or trivial matters.

Ancient unit of weight equal to one-quarter ofused metaphorically to indicate extremely small amounts or

Usage highlights

Zhu and liangZhu and zhuMust compare every zhuAccumulate zhu and store cumZhu measurementZhu weight

Synonyms

  • 銖— zhu (small weight unit, one twenty-fourth of a tael)
  • 兩— liang (tael, Chinese ounce)
  • 錢— qian (small weight unit, one-tenth of a tael)

Antonyms

  • 鈞— jun (large weight unit, 30 catties)
  • 石— dan (large weight unit, about 60 kilograms)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Every single detail matters (錙銖必較).
  • He accumulated wealth bit by bit (錙積寸累).
  • The difference is extremely minute (錙銖之差).
  • Ancient Chinese measurement system included units like zhu and liang (錙兩).

Collocations

  • Zhu and liang(錙兩)
  • Zhu and zhu(錙銖)
  • Must compare every zhu(錙銖必較)
  • Accumulate zhu and store cum(錙積寸累)
  • Zhu measurement(錙量)
  • Zhu weight(錙重)

Idioms

  • Haggle over every ounce(錙銖必較)
  • Accumulate little by little(錙積寸累)
  • Not differing by an ounce(不差錙銖)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originated as a small weight unit in ancient Chinese measurement system, one zhu equals one-quarter of a tael.
  • Often used metaphorically to emphasize extreme precision or minute quantities in classical texts.
  • Represents the meticulous attention to detail valued in traditional Chinese scholarship and commerce.

FAQ