Units of measurement in wuxia

When reading wuxia translations, you’ll encounter traditional Chinese units of measurement—zhang, chi, cun, li, jin, mu, and shichen. These terms appear throughout novels, but their usage follows a deliberate pattern: concrete physical descriptions are converted to Western equivalents for clarity, whilst abstract cultural expressions retain their original Chinese terms to preserve atmosphere.

Understanding this distinction helps readers appreciate both the practical scene-building and cultural authenticity in wuxia translations.

Two approaches to measurement

Wuxia fiction employs traditional Chinese units of measurement that reflect historical Chinese society. The translation approach differs based on whether measurements serve practical scene-building purposes or cultural immersion.

Concrete measurements—describing people, objects, and physical actions—are typically converted to Western equivalents for reader comprehension. When a character is described as “seven zhang tall”, this becomes “seven feet tall” in translation to help readers visualise the scene.

Abstract measurements—used in metaphors, idioms, and cultural expressions—retain their original Chinese terms to preserve cultural authenticity. When a character travels “a thousand li away”, the term “li” remains to maintain the traditional sense of distance and scale.

This dual approach allows translations to balance accessibility with cultural preservation, ensuring readers can visualise scenes whilst maintaining the distinctive atmosphere of traditional Chinese society.

Length measurements

Zhang (丈)

Zhang¹ is a unit of length approximately equal to 3.3 metres or 11 feet. In wuxia fiction, zhang appears in two contexts:

Concrete descriptions: When describing physical dimensions of people, objects, or movements, zhang is converted to feet for intuitive understanding. For example, a character described as “seven zhang tall” would be translated as “seven feet tall” to help readers visualise the scene.

Abstract expressions: When used in idioms, metaphors, or hyperbolic expressions (such as “ten-thousand-zhang abyss”), zhang may be retained as pinyin or translated according to meaning, preserving the cultural flavour of the expression.

Chi (尺)

Chi² is a unit of length approximately equal to 33 centimetres or 1 foot. Like zhang, chi follows the same translation principles:

Concrete descriptions: Physical measurements using chi are converted to feet or inches for clarity. A sword described as “three chi long” becomes “three feet long” in translation.

Cultural context: When chi appears in set phrases or cultural expressions, it may be retained with explanation to preserve traditional terminology.

Cun (寸)

Cun³ is a unit of length approximately equal to 3.3 centimetres or 1.4 inches (often simplified to 1 inch in translations). Cun typically describes smaller measurements:

Precise measurements: Used for detailed descriptions of objects, weapons, or movements requiring fine precision. Converted to inches for concrete descriptions.

Acupoint locations: In martial arts contexts, cun may be used to describe acupoint locations or precise body measurements, where conversion helps readers understand the technical details.

Li (里)

Li⁴ is a unit of distance approximately equal to 500 metres or 0.31 miles. Unlike concrete measurements, li is typically retained as pinyin:

Cultural distance: Li appears in expressions describing travel, separation, or metaphorical distance. Retaining “li” preserves the cultural context and traditional sense of scale.

World-building: Used to establish the geographical scope of the jianghu, describing distances between locations, travel times, and the vastness of the martial arts world.

Examples: “a thousand li away”, “three hundred li journey”, “within ten li”

Weight measurements

Jin (斤)

Jin⁵ is a unit of weight approximately equal to 500 grams or 1.1 pounds (often simplified to 1 pound in translations). Jin appears in various contexts:

Concrete weight: When describing the weight of objects, weapons, or goods, jin is converted to pounds for intuitive understanding.

Trade and commerce: Used in descriptions of transactions, cargo, and economic activities, where conversion helps readers understand quantities.

Food and drink: Appears in descriptions of food portions, wine quantities, and daily life measurements.

Area measurements

Mu (亩)

Mu⁶ is a unit of area approximately equal to 667 square metres or 0.165 acres. Mu is typically retained as pinyin:

Land descriptions: Used to describe farmland, estates, and property holdings, preserving traditional Chinese concepts of land measurement.

Cultural context: Retaining mu maintains the historical and cultural framework of land ownership and agricultural society.

Time measurements

Shichen (时辰)

Shichen⁷ is a traditional Chinese time unit equal to two hours. Shichen divides the day into twelve periods, each corresponding to an animal in the Chinese zodiac. Shichen is typically retained as pinyin:

Traditional timekeeping: Preserves the cultural system of time measurement based on the twelve earthly branches.

Atmospheric detail: Retaining shichen maintains the historical setting and traditional sense of time in wuxia fiction.

Examples: “the hour of the rat” (midnight), “the hour of the horse” (noon)

Translation principles

Category 1: Retain original term (pinyin)

For abstract, cultural, or world-building purposes, measurements are retained as pinyin:

• Li (里) — distance and travel
• Mu (亩) — land area
• Shichen (时辰) — traditional timekeeping
• Hyperbolic zhang — in idioms and metaphors

Rationale: These units serve rhetorical and symbolic purposes; their precise value matters less than their cultural connotation and contribution to atmosphere.

Category 2: Convert to Western equivalents

For concrete, physical descriptions, measurements are converted:

• Zhang (丈) → feet (for physical dimensions)
• Chi (尺) → feet or inches (for object sizes)
• Cun (寸) → inches (for precise measurements)
• Jin (斤) → pounds (for weight)

Rationale: Readers need intuitive sense of scale to visualise scenes and understand physical relationships.

Special cases

Hyperbolic expressions: When zhang appears in idioms like “ten-thousand-zhang abyss” (万丈深渊), translators may either convert to feet (“ten-thousand-foot abyss”) or translate the meaning (“immeasurable abyss”).

Proper nouns: If a measurement is part of a proper noun (e.g., “Sanchi Sword”), the original term is retained.

Legendary weapons: Measurements that form part of legendary weapon names or titles maintain their original Chinese terms.

In wuxia fiction

Physical descriptions

Concrete measurements help readers visualise:

• Character height: Descriptions of tall or imposing figures
• Weapon dimensions: Length and weight of swords, sabres, and other weapons
• Movement range: Distance of leaps, strikes, and qinggong techniques
• Object sizes: Dimensions of buildings, rooms, and structures

Cultural expressions

Abstract measurements establish atmosphere:

• Travel distances: “a thousand li journey” conveys the vastness of the jianghu
• Time passage: Shichen references maintain historical timekeeping
• Land holdings: Mu measurements reflect traditional concepts of property
• Metaphorical distance: Li in expressions about separation or connection

Martial arts applications

Measurements appear in technical descriptions:

• Technique range: Distance and reach of martial arts moves
• Formation spacing: Positioning in group formations
• Acupoint locations: Precise body measurements for pressure points
• Weapon specifications: Dimensions affecting combat effectiveness

Why this matters

Traditional Chinese units of measurement derive from ancient Chinese metrology, with standards that varied across dynasties and regions. The system reflects practical needs of agricultural society, trade, and administration.

In wuxia fiction, these measurements serve dual purposes: practical scene-building and cultural authenticity. The translation approach balances these needs, converting concrete measurements for clarity whilst preserving abstract measurements for atmosphere.

The distinction between concrete and abstract usage reflects broader translation philosophy: when measurements serve functional purposes (helping readers visualise), conversion aids comprehension; when measurements serve cultural purposes (establishing historical setting), retention preserves authenticity.

This approach allows wuxia translations to maintain the distinctive flavour of traditional Chinese society whilst remaining accessible to readers unfamiliar with Chinese measurement systems.

Further reading

• Currency in wuxia — Economic measurements and monetary units
• Understanding wuxia fundamentals — Core cultural concepts
• Five Elements — Philosophical framework influencing measurement concepts

Footnotes

1. 丈 – Zhàng. Traditional Chinese unit of length, approximately 3.3 metres or 11 feet. ↩

2. 尺 – Chǐ. Traditional Chinese unit of length, approximately 33 centimetres or 1 foot. ↩

3. 寸 – Cùn. Traditional Chinese unit of length, approximately 3.3 centimetres or 1.4 inches. ↩

4. 里 – Lǐ. Traditional Chinese unit of distance, approximately 500 metres or 0.31 miles. ↩

5. 斤 – Jīn. Traditional Chinese unit of weight, approximately 500 grams or 1.1 pounds. See Wikipedia. ↩

6. 亩 – Mǔ. Traditional Chinese unit of area, approximately 667 square metres or 0.165 acres. ↩

7. 时辰 – Shíchén. Traditional Chinese time unit equal to two hours, dividing the day into twelve periods corresponding to the Chinese zodiac animals. ↩