Chinese Conversation · Level 70
90 words
Chinese word
半斤八两
Pronunciation
Pinyinbàn jīn bā liǎng
Meaning
- idiomevenly matched
Example
在这场比赛里，两队的实力半斤八两。zài zhè chǎng bǐ sài lǐ liǎng duì de shí lì bàn jīn bā liǎng
In this game, the two teams are evenly matched.
More examples
两人半斤八两，选谁都差不多。liǎng rén bàn jīn bā liǎng xuǎn shéi dōu chà bu duō
The two are evenly matched, so it makes little difference whom you choose.
Core concept
Two sides balance on the same scale, with neither gaining an edge.
Common phrases
两人半斤八两liǎng rén bàn jīn bā liǎng
about equal
双方半斤八两shuāng fāng bàn jīn bā liǎng
about equal
Similar words
不相上下bù xiāng shàng xià: Being equal in strength or results, with no clear higher or lower side.
不分上下bù fēn shàng xià: Describing a contest or comparison where neither side can be judged better.
不分伯仲bù fēn bó zhòng: Having nearly equal ability or rank, so superiority and victory remain unclear.
Definition in Chinese
表示双方在某方面相差无几，常用来形容二者互相不分上下，语气可带有轻微贬义。biǎo shì shuāng fāng zài mǒu fāng miàn xiàng chà wú jǐ cháng yòng lái xíng róng èr zhě hù xiāng bù fēn shàng xià yǔ qì kě dài yǒu qīng wēi biǎn yì
Word origin
半斤八两 (bànjīnbāliǎng, "half a jin and eight liang") comes from an old weight system in which half a jin equaled eight liang, so the two measures represented the same amount.
Usage tips
- Its mildly dismissive tone makes it better for casual comparison than for praising a person, team, or product in a formal setting.
Other meanings
- about equalidiom
- much the sameidiom
Opposites
- 天壤之别tiān rǎng zhī biéworlds apartidiom
- 大相径庭dà xiāng jìng tíngvery differentidiom