Gōnglǐ is the Chinese unit for kilometer, widely used for measuring distances.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Kilometer, used for measuring distance.
- Equivalent to 1000 meters.
- Common in daily life and travel.
Overview
公里（gōnglǐ）是中国常用的长度单位，相当于1000米。这个单位在日常生活中被广泛使用，尤其是在描述较长距离时。它的引入与国际单位制（SI）的米有关，但它在中国有着悠久的本土化使用历史，并被广泛接受和理解。
公里主要用于表示距离。例如，你可以说“北京到上海大约有1200公里”，或者“我今天跑了5公里”。它很少用于描述非常小的物体或尺寸，因为在那种情况下，米、厘米或毫米更合适。在地图、交通标志和旅行规划中，公里是标准的距离度量单位。
米是国际单位制的基本长度单位，1公里等于1000米。米用于测量较短的距离，例如房间的大小或一个人的身高。
“里”是中国传统的市制长度单位，1里约等于500米（现代市制）。虽然“公里”在字面上包含了“里”，但它是一个基于米的现代单位，与传统的“里”在精确度上有所不同，但在日常口语中，有时人们会混用或以“里”来估算“公里”的距离，但严格来说，“公里”是1000米。
Examples
从北京到上海大约有1200公里。
everydayThe distance from Beijing to Shanghai is about 1200 kilometers.
这条公路的长度是50公里。
formalThe length of this highway is 50 kilometers.
今天我跑了5公里，感觉很棒！
informalI ran 5 kilometers today, and it felt great!
研究表明，该地区年平均降水量约为800毫米，但最长距离的河流长度可达数百公里。
academicResearch indicates that the region's average annual precipitation is around 800 millimeters, but the longest rivers can extend for hundreds of kilometers.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
一百公里
one hundred kilometers
长途跋涉几公里
trekking for several kilometers
距离多少公里
how many kilometers away
Often Confused With
While '里' is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, its modern equivalent is roughly 500 meters, making it different from the 1000-meter '公里'.
'千米' is the direct translation of 'kilometer' and means exactly the same as '公里'. However, '公里' is more commonly used in everyday Chinese.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
公里 is the standard and most frequently used term for kilometer in Mandarin Chinese. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts when discussing distances. Avoid using it for very short measurements where meters or centimeters are more suitable.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse '公里' with the traditional Chinese unit '里'. While related in concept, '公里' specifically refers to 1000 meters. Also, sometimes '千米' might be used, but '公里' is generally preferred in spoken Chinese.
Tips
Think 1000 meters
Remember that '公里' is simply 1000 meters. Visualize a kilometer as a stretch of 10 football fields.
Avoid confusion with '里'
While '里' is a traditional Chinese unit, '公里' is the standard for kilometers. Using '里' for official distance measurements can be imprecise.
Ubiquitous in China
You'll see '公里' everywhere in China, from road signs to travel guides. It's the go-to unit for distance.
Word Origin
The term '公里' was adopted into Chinese as a translation of the international unit 'kilometer'. '公' means 'thousand' in this context (derived from '千米'), and '里' is used as the unit suffix, similar to how 'meter' is used in English.
Cultural Context
The widespread use of '公里' reflects China's integration into the global system of measurement. Road signs, maps, and public transportation all rely on kilometers, making it an essential part of daily life and travel.
Memory Tip
Think of '公' (gōng) as meaning 'public' or 'common', and '里' (lǐ) as a unit of distance. So, '公里' is the common unit for distance, much like 'kilometer' is common in English.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions公里和千米是同一个意思，都等于1000米。在中国，“公里”比“千米”在日常口语和书面语中更常用。
1公里等于1000米。这是国际单位制中米的一个衍生单位。
当你需要描述较长距离时，例如城市之间的距离、公路长度、跑步或骑行的距离时，应该使用公里。
公里是基于国际单位制（米）的现代单位，虽然在中国非常普及，但它并不是中国古代的传统长度单位（如“里”）。
Test Yourself
从我家到市中心大约有10___。
描述从家到市中心的距离，通常是较长距离，所以应该用“公里”。
以下哪个选项最接近500米？
0.5公里等于500米，因为1公里等于1000米。
我 / 跑 / 了 / 5 / 公里
这是描述跑步距离的标准中文句子结构。
Score: /3
Summary
Gōnglǐ is the Chinese unit for kilometer, widely used for measuring distances.
- Kilometer, used for measuring distance.
- Equivalent to 1000 meters.
- Common in daily life and travel.
Think 1000 meters
Remember that '公里' is simply 1000 meters. Visualize a kilometer as a stretch of 10 football fields.
Avoid confusion with '里'
While '里' is a traditional Chinese unit, '公里' is the standard for kilometers. Using '里' for official distance measurements can be imprecise.
Ubiquitous in China
You'll see '公里' everywhere in China, from road signs to travel guides. It's the go-to unit for distance.
Examples
4 of 4从北京到上海大约有1200公里。
The distance from Beijing to Shanghai is about 1200 kilometers.
这条公路的长度是50公里。
The length of this highway is 50 kilometers.
今天我跑了5公里，感觉很棒！
I ran 5 kilometers today, and it felt great!
研究表明，该地区年平均降水量约为800毫米，但最长距离的河流长度可达数百公里。
Research indicates that the region's average annual precipitation is around 800 millimeters, but the longest rivers can extend for hundreds of kilometers.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
