liang
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈɫjæŋ// liang
n. a traditional unit of weight used in China for measuring things like silver or medicine. It is often called a 'tael' in English.
n. a traditional Chinese unit of mass, historically used as a currency weight for silver. While the exact weight has varied by region and era, it was standardized in modern China at 50 grams.
The merchant weighed the silver in liang.
In historical Chinese dramas, characters often pay for their meals using several liang of silver.
The standardization of weights and measures meant that one liang became exactly one-tenth of a jin, simplifying trade across different provinces.
Usage
Often used in historical or traditional contexts; frequently translated as 'tael' in Western literature.