Translation guide
A historical unit of weight and currency used in East Asia, especially China. In Japanese, it is referred to as 両 (ryō), which was also a unit of currency in pre-modern Japan.
Referring to the tael as a unit of weight (approx. 37–38 grams) or a silver-based currency used in China and other parts of East Asia.
The standard Japanese term for the tael, used historically for both weight and currency. In the Edo period, the ryō was a gold coin.
この品物は銀五両で売られていた。
This item was sold for five taels of silver.
一両は約37.5グラムに相当する。
One tael is equivalent to about 37.5 grams.
Loanword from English 'tael', used in modern contexts when referring to the Chinese tael, especially in financial or historical discussions about China.
The tael is not used in contemporary Japan. The term 両 (ryō) is primarily encountered in historical contexts, such as the Edo period currency system. For modern weight measurements, use grams (グラム) or kilograms (キログラム).
In China, the tael was used for silver transactions.