gōnglǐ: 公里 - Kilometer

• Keywords: 公里, gongli, kilometer in Chinese, what is gongli, Chinese distance measurement, km in Chinese, Chinese units, metric system in China, 公里 vs 里, learn Chinese distance words.
• Summary: 公里 (gōnglǐ) is the essential Chinese word for “kilometer,” the standard unit for measuring distance across China. This guide breaks down what 公里 means, how to use it in everyday conversation, and its cultural significance as part of China's adoption of the metric system. You'll learn the crucial difference between a modern `公里` and the traditional `里 (lǐ)`, master its usage with practical example sentences for travel and daily life, and avoid common mistakes learners make.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gōnglǐ
• Part of Speech: Noun, Measure Word
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A unit of length equal to 1,000 meters; a kilometer.
• In a Nutshell: `公里` is the standard, everyday word for “kilometer” in Mandarin Chinese. It's the metric unit you'll see on all road signs, use in navigation apps, and hear in conversations about travel, jogging, or the distance between two places. Think of it as the direct equivalent of “kilometer” or “km” used in most of the world.

• 公 (gōng): This character's core meaning is “public” or “common.” In the context of measurements, it has come to mean “metric” or “international standard.” This prefix is used to distinguish metric units from traditional Chinese units. For example, `公斤 (gōngjīn)` is a kilogram, while `斤 (jīn)` is a traditional unit of weight.
• 里 (lǐ): This is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, sometimes called the “Chinese mile.” A traditional `里` is approximately 500 meters.

By combining `公` (metric) and `里` (a unit of distance), the word `公里` literally means “metric li.” Since a traditional `里` is 500 meters, a “metric li” was standardized to be double that, creating a new word for the 1000-meter kilometer.

The widespread use of `公里` reflects China's modernization and integration with global standards in the 20th century. While China has a rich history of its own measurement systems (like the `里`), the government officially adopted the metric system to facilitate international trade, science, and communication. For an American learner accustomed to the imperial system (miles, feet, inches), this is a practical and important cultural difference. In the US, you might say “The next town is 10 miles away.” In China, you would say it's 16 公里 away. This isn't just a language difference; it's a reflection of a different national standard. Understanding and using `公里` is a fundamental step to navigating modern China, both literally on the road and culturally. It shows an awareness of the system everyone operates on, from high-speed rail schedules to a casual morning jog.

`公里` is a neutral, factual term used in virtually all contexts, from formal to informal.

• Travel and Navigation: All road signs, GPS navigation apps (like Baidu Maps), and train/flight information will use `公里` to indicate distance.
• Everyday Conversation: When asking for directions or estimating travel time, `公里` is the default unit. For example, “How far is the Forbidden City?” (`故宫有多远？- Gùgōng yǒu duō yuǎn?`) will almost always be answered in `公里`.
• Sports and Fitness: A 5K or 10K run is referred to as a `五公里 (wǔ gōnglǐ)` or `十公里 (shí gōnglǐ)` run.
• Vehicle Specifications: A car's speed is measured in `公里每小时 (gōnglǐ měi xiǎoshí)` (kilometers per hour, km/h), and its fuel efficiency is `每升油跑XX公里 (měi shēng yóu pǎo XX gōnglǐ)` (XX kilometers per liter).

• Example 1:
  • 北京到上海的距离大约是一千二百公里。
  • Pinyin: Běijīng dào Shànghǎi de jùlí dàyuē shì yīqiān èrbǎi gōnglǐ.
  • English: The distance from Beijing to Shanghai is approximately 1,200 kilometers.
  • Analysis: A straightforward, factual statement about geographical distance. This is a very common use case.
• Example 2:
  • 我家离公司只有三公里，我每天骑自行车上班。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jiā lí gōngsī zhǐyǒu sān gōnglǐ, wǒ měitiān qí zìxíngchē shàngbān.
  • English: My home is only three kilometers from the office, so I ride a bike to work every day.
  • Analysis: Used here to describe a relatively short, everyday distance.
• Example 3:
  • 你能跑完十公里马拉松吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng pǎo wán shí gōnglǐ mǎlāsōng ma?
  • English: Can you finish a 10-kilometer marathon?
  • Analysis: `公里` is the standard unit for running and races. A “10K run” is literally “ten-kilometer marathon.”
• Example 4:
  • 这条高速公路的限速是每小时一百公里。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tiáo gāosù gōnglù de xiànsù shì měi xiǎoshí yībǎi gōnglǐ.
  • English: The speed limit on this highway is 100 kilometers per hour.
  • Analysis: Used with `每小时 (měi xiǎoshí)` to mean “kilometers per hour” (km/h).
• Example 5:
  • 我们离下一个服务区还有多远？大概五十公里。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen lí xià yí ge fúwùqū hái yǒu duō yuǎn? Dàgài wǔshí gōnglǐ.
  • English: How much farther are we from the next service area? About 50 kilometers.
  • Analysis: A typical question and answer you would hear on a road trip in China.
• Example 6:
  • 这辆车的油耗是百公里八升。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liàng chē de yóuhào shì bǎi gōnglǐ bā shēng.
  • English: This car's fuel consumption is 8 liters per 100 kilometers.
  • Analysis: A standard way to express fuel efficiency in China, similar to “miles per gallon” but inverted (liters per 100 km).
• Example 7:
  • 为了看到日出，他们徒步走了二十公里的山路。
  • Pinyin: Wèile kàndào rìchū, tāmen túbù zǒule èrshí gōnglǐ de shānlù.
  • English: In order to see the sunrise, they hiked 20 kilometers of mountain road.
  • Analysis: Emphasizes the length and effort of a journey.
• Example 8:
  • 地图上的一厘米代表实际距离的五公里。
  • Pinyin: Dìtú shàng de yī límǐ dàibiǎo shíjì jùlí de wǔ gōnglǐ.
  • English: One centimeter on the map represents an actual distance of five kilometers.
  • Analysis: Used here to describe a map's scale.
• Example 9:
  • 台风中心目前在城市东南方两百公里处，并持续靠近。
  • Pinyin: Táifēng zhōngxīn mùqián zài chéngshì dōngnánfāng liǎng bǎi gōnglǐ chù, bìng chíxù kàojìn.
  • English: The typhoon's center is currently 200 kilometers southeast of the city and continues to approach.
  • Analysis: A formal usage you might hear in a weather report or news broadcast.
• Example 10:
  • 只要再坚持一公里，我们就到山顶了！
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyào zài jiānchí yī gōnglǐ, wǒmen jiù dào shāndǐng le!
  • English: If we just persevere for one more kilometer, we'll reach the summit!
  • Analysis: Used here to express a final, short distance in a challenging situation.

• 公里 (gōnglǐ) vs. 里 (lǐ): This is the most critical distinction for a learner to make.
  • `公里 (gōnglǐ)` = 1 kilometer = 1000 meters. This is the modern, standard unit.
  • `里 (lǐ)` = 1 “Chinese mile” ≈ 500 meters. This is a traditional unit.
  • Therefore, 1 公里 = 2 里.
  • Common Mistake: A learner hears a Chinese person say they live `五里 (wǔ lǐ)` away and thinks it means 5 kilometers. In reality, it's only 2.5 kilometers. When in doubt, assume modern distances are discussed in `公里`.
• 公里 (gōnglǐ) vs. 千米 (qiānmǐ):
  • `千米 (qiānmǐ)` also means “kilometer” (literally “thousand meters”). It is more formal, scientific, or literary.
  • `公里 (gōnglǐ)` is the term used in 99% of everyday speech, on road signs, and in common situations. As a learner, you should almost always use `公里`.
  • Incorrect Usage: Saying `我家离公司三千米` is grammatically correct but sounds overly formal and unnatural. You should say `我家离公司三公里`.

• `里 (lǐ)` - The traditional Chinese unit of distance, roughly 500 meters. Crucial to distinguish from `公里`.
• `米 (mǐ)` - Meter. The base unit of length in the metric system.
• `千米 (qiānmǐ)` - A more formal or technical term for “kilometer.” Less common in daily speech.
• `公斤 (gōngjīn)` - Kilogram. Another example of the `公` prefix indicating an international metric standard.
• `英里 (yīnglǐ)` - The word for the “mile” used in the imperial system. Used when specifically discussing distances in countries like the US or UK.
• `厘米 (límǐ)` - Centimeter.
• `距离 (jùlí)` - The abstract concept of “distance.” You ask about the `距离`, and the answer is given in `公里`.
• `路程 (lùchéng)` - Refers to the distance of a journey or trip.
• `速度 (sùdù)` - Speed. Often measured in `公里/小时` (km/h).