Meaning:

axe; 1/2 kilogram

Origin:

“斤”原指一种石斧，后来多用作重量单位名。一斤等于0.5 千克。

“斤” originally refered to a stone ax, and later came to be used as a unit of weight. One jin is equal to 1/2 kilogram.

Words:

   半斤八两    (bàn jīn bā liǎng): not much to choose between the two

   斤斤计较    (jīnjīn jìjiào)        : to haggle over every ounce

   斤两          (jīnliǎng)              : weight

Examples:

1. 老实说，我觉得这两个候选人半斤八两。

    Llǎoshí shuō ，wǒ jué de zhè liǎng ge hòuxuǎnrén bàn jīn bā liǎng

    Honestly, I think the two candidates are like Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

2. 苹果多少钱一斤？

    Píngguǒ duōshǎo qián yī jīn

    How much is half a kilo of apples?