Pyeong (unit)

A ''pyeong'' (abbreviationpy) is a Korean unit of area and floorspace, equal to a square '' kan'' or 36square Korean feet. The ''ping'' and ''tsubo'' are its equivalent Taiwanese and Japanese units, similarly based on a square '' bu'' ( ja:步) or '' ken'', equivalent to 36square Chinese or Japanese feet.

''Pyeong''

In Korea, the period of Japanese occupation produced a ''pyeong'' of or 3.3058m². It is the standard traditional measure for real estate floorspace, with an average house reckoned as about 25''pyeong'', a studio apartment as 8–12py, and a garret as 1½py. In South Korea, the unit has been officially banned since 1961 but with little effect prior to the criminalization of its commercial use effective 1 July 2007.. Informal use continues, however, including in the form of real estate use of unusual fractions of meters equivalent to unit amounts of ''pyeong''. Real estate listings on major websites such as Daum show measurements in square meters with the ''pyeong'' equivalent.

''Ping''

In Taiwan, the Taiwanese ''ping'' remains in fairly common use and is about 3.306m². In mainland China, the metrication of traditional units would produce a ''ping'' of 4m², but it is almost unknown, with most real estate floorspace simply reckoned in square meters. The longer length of the Hong Kong foot produces a larger ''ping'' of almost 5m², but it is similarly uncommon.

''Tsubo''

In Japan, the usual measure of real estate floorspace is the '' tatami'' and the ''tsubo'' is reckoned as two ''tatami''. The ''tatami'' varies by region but the modern standard is usually taken to be the Nagoya ''tatami'' of about 1.653m², producing a ''tsubo'' of 3.306m². It is sometimes reckoned as comprising 10 gō.

See also

* Japanese units of measurement
* Korean units of measurement
* Taiwanese units of measurement
* Chinese units of measurement

References

{{Reflist

Systems of units
Units of area
Korean culture