Everyone knows that in America everything is not like in other countries. And the point is not even that there are other laws and customs, but that there are completely different units of measurement. All these feet, inches, Fahrenheit and miles ... How not to break your head in all this and figure out what's what?
So, we will not scare you with "sea leagues" or "long tons", but we will consider only those units of measurement that are used by Americans in everyday speech.
Length measurements are in miles, yards, feet and inches
Mile = mile = 1609 meters
In general, there are many different types"miles", but when an American simply says "mile", he means an ordinary "statutory mile". It is in it that the distance from New York to Los Angeles is measured (straight is, by the way, 2448 miles), it is written on the signs traffic and determines the speed of your car. By the way, the expression “to go the extra mile” will mean “do your best”, and not “pass another 1609 meters”. You can also say that a person is visible “from a mile away” (“a mile”) or that you are “miles from nowhere” (“miles from civilization”).
Yard \u003d yard \u003d 0.9144 meters
There are many variants of the origin of the yard. Some believe that this is the length from the tip of the king's nose to the tip of the middle finger of the outstretched hand. There are also options that the yard went from the size of the waist or the length of the sword of the king. Anyway, now the yard is a bit less than a meter and equals 3 feet. By the way, the expression "whole nine yards" does not always mean that something is nine whole yards. Usually this phrase means that something constitutes a "complete set" or " full set". Example: “I bought the TV, the home theater system… The whole nine yards” - “I bought a TV, home theater system… The whole set.”
Foot = foot = 0.3048 meters
Feet are used just as often as our meters. They also measure growth. By the way, a person's height and weight are always written on American rights and identity cards. As you probably already guessed, the word “foot” itself traces its history from the word “foot”. Since everyone's feet are different, in 1958 at a conference of English-speaking countries it was decided that now the standard "foot", that is, "foot" is equal to 0.3048 meters. And one mile now contains "only" 5280 feet. Is it really "logical"?
inch=inch=2.54cm
It is believed that historically an inch equaled a length thumb adult male. The caliber of the weapon is also measured in inches. There are 12 inches in one foot. This value is one of the smallest, which is actively used in everyday life. Maybe that's why our Russian expression"step by step" in English may sound "inch by inch". Although the “step by step” option is also actively used.
There is a very good expression “Give an inch and take a mile”. Usually it sounds something like this: “He is very greedy. Give him an inch and he will take a mile.” Well, or if you translate it literally, then "Give him a finger, he will cut off his whole hand."
Pounds (not to be confused with feet) and ounces are used to measure weight in everyday life in the United States.
Pound = pound = 0.45 kg
In the US, the pound is often abbreviated to lb. (from the Latin libra - scales). Historically, this unit of mass was actively used in Europe and each feudal lord set the value. Now the pound continues its life in the USA. One pound is made up of 16 ounces.
Please note that in the United States pounds are used as a measure of weight, while in the UK the currency is also called the pound. Be careful when translating proverbs. For example, in the saying “be penny-wise and pound-foolish” (“thrifty in small things and wasteful in large”), we are talking about British pounds, and in the phrase “pounding head” (“heavy head”), we are already talking about the measure weight.
Ounce = ounce = 28.35 gr
The ounce is shortened to oz. Since the weight of an ounce is very small, we use it when we talk about the weight of jewelry. It is unlikely that anyone will measure the weight of potatoes in this unit.
There is a good expression - "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". If we translate literally, then we get something like "An ounce of prevention weighs a pound of cure." Well, in beautiful translation it will sound "The best tactic is prevention."
These are the main measures of length and weight that Americans and British use in everyday speech. Thanks to their proximity to Europe, the British may still be quite familiar with our meters and kilograms. The Americans, on the other hand, do not understand anything about this and ask to transfer everything to them in their “native” pounds and miles.
Shutikova Anna
Metric (metric tone)= 2204.6 pounds = 0.984 big tons = 1000 kg
3.2. American mass system
- 1 quintal = 1 handredweight = 100 pounds = 1 cental = 45.36 kg
- 1 slug = 14.6 kg
- 1 quarter = 1/4 handdwt = 25 pounds = 11.34 kg
- 1 stone = 14 pounds = 6.35 kg
4. Measures of volume for liquids
4.1. British Imperial System of Measures for Liquids
- 1 baht (ukr. butt) = 108-140 gallons = 490.97-636.44 liters (dm, approx. 2 hogsheads)
- 1 baht of beer = 108 gallons = 17.339 feet = 490.97 liters
- 1 pipe = 105 gallons = 2 hogsheads = 477.34 liters (dm)
- 1 hogshead (big barrel, Ukrainian) boar head ) = 52.5 imperial gallons = 238.67 liters (dm)
- 1 barrel = 31-42 gallons = 140.9-190.9 liters (dm)
- 1 barrel for liquid (beer) (Barrel) = 36 imperial gallons = 163.65 liters (dm)
- 1 barrel for crude oil (Barrel (American petroleum)) = 34.97 gallons = 158.988 liters (dm)
- 1 kilderkin = 1/2 barrel = 2 ferkin = 16-18 gallons = 72.7-81.8 l (dm)
- 1 Ferkin (fir; Ukrainian small barrel ) = 1/6 hogshead = 1/4 barrel = 1/2 kilderkin = 8-9 gallons = 36 quarts = 36.3-40.9 liters (dm)
- 1 imperial gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 32 Jills (Hill) = 160 fl. ounces = 4.546 liters (dm)
- 1 potli = 1/2 imp. gallons = 2 quarts = 2.27 liters (dm)
- 1 quart = 1/4 imp. gallons = 2 pints = 1.1365 liters (dm)
- Large bottles common in Europe and the UK (see champagne):
- 1 Melchizedek = 40 bottles = 30 liters
- 1 Primat = 36 bottles = 27 liters
- 1 Solomon = 25 liters
- 1 Melchior = 24 bottles = 18 liters
- 1 Nebuchadnezzar = 20 bottles = 15 liters
- 1 Balthazar = 16 bottles = 12 liters
- 1 Salmanazar = large wine bottle = 12 bottles = 9 liters
- 1 Methuselah = 8 bottles = 6 liters
- 1 Rehoboam = 6 bottles = 4.5 liters
- 1 Jeroboam (double Magnum bottle) = 4 bottles = 3 liters
- 1 Magnum (Magnum bottle) = 2 bottles = 1.5 liters
- 1 bottle of milk = 1 quart = 946.36 ml
- 1 bottle of whiskey = 1 five = 757.1 ml
- 1 bottle of champagne = 2/3 quarts = 630.91 ml (French champagne, 750 ml)
- 1 bottle of wine = 750 ml = 25.3605 fl oz
- 1 Bucket (ukr. ladle) Unofficial unit = 5 imp. gallons = 18.927 liters
- 1 fillet = 1/2 bottle of champagne = 375 ml
- 1 pint = 1/8 imp. gallons = 1/2 qt = 4 Jills (branches) = 20 Ridc Oz = 34.678 inches = 0.568261 L (dm)
- 1 Jill (Hill) = 1/4 pint = 5 fl. ounces = 8.670 inches = 0.142 liters (dm)
- 1 breakfast cup = 1/2 pint = 10 fl. ounces = 17.339 inches = 1.2 U.S. cups = 284 ml
- 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 4 fl. drachmas = 1/2 fluid ounce = 14.2 ml
- 1 teaspoon = 1/3 tablespoon = 1 1/3 fl. drachmas = 4.7 ml (from another source: = 1/8 fl. oz. = 3.55 ml (traditional), honey and kitchen = 5 ml)
- 1 must glass, glass = 16 fl. drachmas = 2 fl. oz = 56.8 ml according to other sources is equal to 2.5 fl. oz = 5 tablespoons = 1/2 Gill = 71 ml
- 1 oz liquid (floz)= 1/20 pint = 1/5 gill = 8 fl. drachmas = 24 fl. scruples = 1.733871 inches = 28.413063 ml (cm)
- 1 liquid drachma (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 3 liquid. scruples = 1/8 p. oz = 60 minimi = 0.96 US liquid drachmas = 0.216734 inches = 3.551633 ml
- 1 p. Scruple of pharmacies. (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 1/3 fl. drachmas = 1/24 fl. oz = 20 minimi = 19.2 US minimi = 1.18388 ml
- 1 min pharmacies. (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 1/60 fl. drachmas = 1/20 fl. scruple = 0.96 amer. minimum = 0.05919 ml
4.2. American system of measures for liquids
5. Measures of volume for bulk solids
5.1. British imperial system for bulk solids
5.2. American System of Measures for Bulk Solids
6. Pharmaceutical and Troy (for precious metals and stones) measures
Pharmaceutical and troy (for precious metals and stones) measures differ:
- The pharmaceutical system of weight measures was used in the field of pharmaceuticals, it used the pound, ounce, drachma, scruple, gran, minim;
- The coin (troy) system of measures of weight is used by jewelers and in the mint. Basic quantities - pound, ounce, pennyweight, carat, grain; this system is also used in the manufacture of ammunition
- The values of the British and American systems of measures are also different.
6.1. Pharmaceutical weight measures
British apothecary system of weight measures in the XV-XX centuries. used in the field of pharmaceuticals, it used the pound, ounce, drachma, scruple and grain. At the same time, the pharmaceutical values of the pound, ounce, drachma differed from the values of such a name for commercial use.
| Measures of weight (mass) | Measures for liquids | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 lb = 12 oz = 5760 grains = 373.24172 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 ounce (troy ounce) (uncia, oz) = 8 drachmas = 24 scruplesd = 480 grains = 31.1035 g | 1 fl oz = 8 fl. drachmas = 24 fl. scrupulous = 28.413 ml | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 drachma (dram) (before 1975) = 1/96 apothecary pound = 1/8 ounce = 3 scruplesb = 60 grains = 3.88794 g | 1 p. drachma (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 3 fl. scruples = 1/8 fl. oz = 60 minimi = 0.96 US liquid drachmas = 3.55163 ml | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 scrupulum = 1/3 drachma = 20 grains = 1.296 g | 1 p. Scruple (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 1/3 fl. drachmas = 1/24 fl. oz = 20 minimi = 19.2 US minimi = 1.18388 ml | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 grain (granum) (until 1985) = 1/20 scruple = 64.79891 mg | 1 min (1878 - February 1, 1971) = 1/60 fl. drachmas = 1/20 fl. scruple = 0.96 am. minimum = 0.05919 ml
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6.2. Coin (troy) system of measures of weight
The system is used by jewelers and in the mint. The basic quantities are the pound, ounce and pennyweight.
| Ounce | ||||||
| pennyweight | 20 |
|||||
| Gran | 24 | 480 |
||||
| Mayte | 20 | 480 | ||||
| Reach | 24 | 480 | ||||
| Periot | 20 | 480 | 9,600 | |||
| Blank | 24 | 480 | 11520 | 230400 | ||
| 0.000281245 mg | 0.00675 mg | 0.135 mg | 3.24 mg | 64.79891 mg | 1.555 g | 31.1035 g |
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Tables for converting feet and inches to centimeters (height) and pounds to kilograms (weight).
Hello my dear readers! We all know " Golden Rule» internet shopaholic:
"Carefully study the reviews of your new brand or product before you buy it!"
How often have you seen reviews like this:
"I'm 5′ 8″ 180 and the large was huge on me, the length is above the ankles but well below the knee. I’ve always had a small waist for my size even after gaining 25lbs over the …”
« I'm a very large woman ( 5'6" tall and 260lbs. Size 48DDD chest. I wanted a long dress that was basic and comfy vs a "moo-moo" This thing fit the bill. Of… «
“I bought one in every color! I am petite 5′ 2″) and I like that it comes right across the tops of my feet! Pairs perfectly with…”
What do these figures, unusual for the Belarusian eye, mean? Just height and weight (yes, not parameters (90-60-90), as is customary with us, but weight).
Americans use to measure length. feet and inches, and for weight measurement - pounds. So, the first review given as an example was written by a person with a height of 173 cm and a weight of 82 kg (5′ 8″ 180).
If you, like me, do not like to study the reviews of happy and not very American buyers with a calculator in hand, then here is a glorious table for converting feet and inches to centimeters to help us all:
If you need a different length that does not fit in the table, then you still have to arm yourself with a calculator:
1 Foot (Foot) = 30.48 cm
1 Inch = 2.54 cm
I still have not learned how to navigate the size of clothing by weight of a person. But, suddenly, you are in this guru? Then this table for converting pounds to kilograms will help you:
1 Pound = 0.454 kg
This is a short but hopefully helpful post.
P.S. Ask all your questions in the comments to this article - I will answer them with pleasure! And don't forget SHOPOClang, so as not to miss new interesting articles!
Despite the invention decimal system, which is now used by the whole world, American and English measures of length are often found in everyday life. Let's take the diagonal of the TV. In the passports of equipment, warranty cards, everywhere the size is indicated in inches. The same applies to the diameter of pipes, sizes of tools, bolts, nuts. In order not to look stupid in situations with unfamiliar quantities, it is necessary to have an idea about the main ones.
Measures of length
Our ancestors did not have digital and magnetic instruments capable of measuring the desired value. Therefore, for convenience, they used the measure of their own body, that is, what they always have with them. These were feet, fingers, elbows, steps, palms.
- Mile as the most popular unit, adopted around the world to indicate the distance of air and land routes.
1 mile (mil) = 1609 m
1 nautical mile = 1852 m
- The basic value of the American system is considered to be a foot.
1 foot (ft) = 30.48 cm
The meaning of the foot comes from England. This value measured a distance equal to 16 feet and was called a stock (stock).
- Size inch was popular in all European countries before the introduction of the SI system. It was calculated by the length of the joint of the thumb or its width at the base.
1 inch (in) = 25.4 mm
There is an opinion that the size of an inch was determined by three grains of barley, laid along one after another. According to another version, the component of an inch was 1/36 of a yard, which was established by King Henry I in 1101. Its length was equal to the distance from the middle finger right hand to the tip of his nose.
- The yard was originally taken as the average stride length.
1 yard (yd) = 0.9144 m
- Line - used in the military to indicate the caliber of a weapon.
1 line (ln) = 2.12 mm
- League. The value of the league has long been used in naval battles to determine the distance of a cannon shot. Later it began to be used for land and postal affairs.
1 league = 4.83 km
Measures rarely used in everyday life
1 mil = 0.025 mm
1 hand = 10.16 cm
1 genus = 5.029 m
1 chain = 20.12 m (for surveyors) and 30.48 m (for builders)
1 furlong = 201.17 m
1 faton = 1.83 m
1 el = 1.14 m
1 pace = 0.76 m
1 qubit = 46-56cm
1 span = 22.86 cm
1 link = 20.12 cm (for surveyors) and 30.48 cm (for builders)
1 flieger = 11.43 cm
1 nail = 5.71 cm
1 barleycorn = 8.47 mm
1 dot = 0.353 mm
1 cable = 219.5 m (in England it is 183 m)
The most popular units of measurement
USA is the only developed country, which abandoned the metric system. In addition to the States, 2 more countries do not use the SI system, these are Liberia and Myanmar.
Once in this country, do not be surprised if in cold, wet weather you ask how many degrees outside and they answer you that plus 32. Just 0 degrees Celsius, this is American 32 Fahrenheit. When approaching a gas station, be sure to convert liters to gallons. Our 3.78 liters corresponds to one gallon.
- Barrel- a measure of volume for bulk materials and liquids.
Translated from English means barrel. In the world, the calculation of oil in barrels is recognized as the most convenient, so oil companies set prices in dollars per barrel.
1 barrel (bbl) = 158.9 liters
1 dry barrel = 115.6 liters
Especially for calculating the volume of beer in the UK, the concept of a beer barrel was introduced. Its value changed over time and depended on the type of drink (ale or beer). The value was finally established in 1824 and amounted to 163.66 liters per 1 barrel.
- Bushel- a measure of volume for dry substances in agriculture(measured the volume of grain, vegetables, fruits). In international trade, a bushel is accepted as a container weighing 18 kg.
1 bushel (bu) = 35.24 liters
- Gallon- the same as the barrel. A gallon is in turn divided into a pint and an ounce.
1 fluid gallon (gl) = 3.79 dm3
1 gallon for bulk solids (gl) = 4.4 dm 3
1 pint = 1/8 gallon = 0.47 dm3
1 ounce = 1/16 pint = 29.57 ml
An ounce has retained its value since ancient times and was approximately equal to 30 g. In the American system, the concept of an ounce is widely used in the pharmaceutical and jewelry business.
- Quart- a unit of measure for the volume of a container, equal to ¼ gallon
1 quart for liquid = 0.946 liters
1 quart solids = 1.1 liters
Measures of area
The square acre has found the greatest distribution in world literature..
Its original designation served to calculate the area of land that one peasant with one ox could cultivate.
Converting the value of acre to the SI system is very simple. If we divide the number by 10, we get the result in meters. And if you divide by 2 - in hectares.
1 inch (sq. in) = 6.45 cm2
1 foot (sq. ft) = 929 cm 2
1 yard (sq.yd) = 0.836 m2
1 mile (sq.mi) = 2.59 km2
1 acre (a) \u003d 4046.86 m 2
Measures of volume
Why define volume?
- to describe the capacity of household appliances
- for shipping containers
- to determine the amount of gas
- to describe the capacity of commercial warehouses
The most commonly used measure of three-dimensional space is the foot. A cubic foot is defined as the volume of a cube, with an edge of 1 foot. Less commonly used values are yard and inch.
To get a cubic volume, you need to multiply the length, height and width.
1 ton (register) = 2.83 m 3
1 yard = 0.76 m 3
1 foot \u003d 28.32 dm 3
1 inch = 16.39 cm3
Measures of weight
- The pound is used as a measure of weight and to describe mass.
In the US, the pound is used to express pressure per square inch. The pound is also used to describe the weight of ammunition (cartridges, shells, bullets).
To convert pounds to kilograms, you need to divide the number of pounds by 2.2
1 lb (lb) = 453.59 g
- An ounce is a measure of weight that has found application in jewelry, banking, to determine the weight of precious metals and stones, as well as in the pharmaceutical business.
To convert an ounce to kilograms, you need to divide its amount by 35.2
1 ounce (oz) = 28.35 g
- A stone is a unit of measure that is used to describe the weight of the human body..
1 stone (st) = 6.35 kg
- A short ton is a unit of weight equivalent to 2,000 pounds.. In the USA, the long ton is also known, but practically not used, which is equal to 2240 trade pounds.
1 short ton = 907.18 kg
1 long ton = 1016 kg
If you are going to America, check out the local standard of measures. Thus, you will avoid awkward situations and choose the right question that interests you. For this, it is not necessary to memorize numbers. It is enough to download a simple converter to your phone.
When I was in America, one of the difficulties for me was an unusual system of measures. Of course, I knew that in the USA, as in Great Britain, they use not the usual meters, liters, kilograms, but incomprehensible feet, inches, gallons. But I underestimated how often in everyday life we encounter units of measurement. In this article, I will provide the most important practical information about units of measurement.
The most important, because complete information little use. In the English system of measures, there are many units that are mentioned in the literature, documents, but practically do not occur in everyday life. You can read more about waves, centrals, slugs, hands on Wikipedia. Here I wrote about what is useful in life, this is not an encyclopedic article, but a practical guide.
What is the English system of measures?
The world uses the English (imperial) system of measures (Imperial system) and metric (metric system).
The English system of measures is used in the UK (since 1995, the metric system has been used as the official one), the USA, Myanmar and Liberia. These four countries speak the language of inches and pounds. The rest of the world is in the language of meters and kilograms. Do not be fooled by the fact that in American films in Russian translation, the characters speak in meters and liters - in the cinema, units of measurement are usually converted for ease of perception (in books they are often left).
The most noticeable difference in the English system is that in it units of measurement, for example, weight, do not correlate with each other as millimeters, centimeters, meters and kilometers, that is, 1 to 100 or 1000. For example, 1 pound \u003d 16 ounces, but 1 ton = 2000 pounds. This has historically been the case, and this difference is often emphasized in various jokes about the English system. 
Units of length: inches, feet, yards, miles - how much is it in (centi-) meters?
A person's height is measured in feet and inches. For example, when they say “he is six and five”, they mean that “he is six feet, five inches tall” (195 cm). Inches, feet and yards are used when talking about the size of different objects. When people talk about distance, they use miles.
Note: the word foot forms non-standard: 1 foot - 10 feet.
Measures of weight: ounces, pounds, stone and tons - how much to hang in grams?
Measures of weight are used in stores when weighing. On the price tags, they also usually write the price per pound, as in our stores the price per kilogram. Body weight is measured in pounds (US) or pounds and stone (UK).
Also, problems will arise if you come to the gym in America: the weights will be signed in pounds. In Russia, in some fitness clubs, you can also see exercise machines with unusual scales: 22.5 kg - 36 kg - 45.5 kg. And it's written on sticky notes. This is the result of “Russification” of foreign equipment.
Note: Please note that pound is abbreviated as lb - from the Latin libra - scales.
Measures of liquids: a pint of beer - how much is it in liters?
Measures of liquids are found on the packaging of goods: water, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (degrees, by the way, are indicated in the same way as we do). Gasoline at gas stations is considered gallons.
| Unit in English | Unit in Russian | Unit ratio | in liters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaspoon | Tea spoon | 1/3 tablespoon | 4.9 ml |
| tablespoon | Tablespoon | 1/2 oz | 14.78 ml |
| Fluid Ounces (fl oz) | Fluid ounce | 2 tablespoons | 29.37 ml |
| Cup (cp) | Cup (American glass) | 8 fl oz | 0.23 l |
| Pint (pt) | Pint (American liquid pint) | 2 cups | 0.47 l |
| Quart(qt) | Quart | 2 pints | 0.94 l |
| Gallon(gl) | Gallon | 4 quarts | 3.78 l |
| Barrell (br) | Barrel | 31.5 gallons | 117.3 l |
On product labels, ounces (oz) and gallons (gl) are most often found. For example, beer in small bottles is usually 12 ounces (29.5 ml), in large bottles - 40 ounces (1182.9 ml). "Coca-Cola" in cans - 7.5 (198 ml) or 12 ounces (29.5 ml). Milk is usually sold in 1 gallon (3.78 l) bottles. Cups, teaspoons and tablespoons are used in cooking recipes.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the barrel (barrel in English. “barrel”). There are several varieties of barrel. The table shows the American barrel for liquids(fluid barrel), equal to 31.5 gallons or 117.3 liters. The barrel we hear about on the news is oil barrel, a unit of measure for the volume of oil (oil barrel, abbr.: bbl), it is equal to 42 gallons or 158.988 liters.
Measures of bulk solids: "dry" gallons, pints, pitches, bushels
Units of measure for bulk solids are not often seen in everyday life, but I also decided to mention them, because you need to know that there are “dry” pints, quarts, gallons, and “liquid”. Most of these measures are used in agriculture.
Loose bodies include not only cereals, sugar, but also berries and fruits. Grapes or apples in agriculture may well be measured (and sold) in dry pints, quarts, or even pitches, bushels, if we are talking about a large volume.
Before all words except peck and bushel, you can add “dry” if you need to clarify that we are talking about “dry” pints, gallons, etc. Peck and bushel cannot be “dry”.
Fahrenheit temperature
In the UK, the temperature is measured in Celsius, as we have, and in the USA - in Fahrenheit. When I arrived in the US, at first I was not told anything by these “80 degrees” in the weather forecast or conversation.
There is an “easy” way to convert temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius and vice versa:
- Fahrenheit - Celsius: subtract 32 from the original number, multiply by 5, divide by 9.
- Celsius - Fahrenheit: multiply the original number by 9, divide by 5, add 32.
Of course, I never used it, but over time I got used to the fact that 70 is warm, 80 is hot, and more than 90 is infernal heat. For purely practical purposes, I have compiled a table for you to visually explain the temperature in Fahrenheit.
Note: in the epigraph of R. Bradbury's novel "451 degrees Fahrenheit" it is said that at a temperature of 451 degrees Fahrenheit, paper lights up. This is a mistake, in fact the paper catches fire at a temperature of about 450 degrees Celsius.
Speed in miles per hour
If you drive a car, you will have to get used to not only the distance in miles, but also the speed in miles per hour. Converting miles per hour to kilometers per hour is much easier than Fahrenheit to Celsius: you just need to multiply the speed in miles per hour by 1.609344. If roughly, then just multiply by one and a half times.
In this table, I have compared speeds so that you can get an idea of what speed is in miles per hour.
Household units of measurement: a box of chocolates, a box of flour, a glass of water, etc.
In addition to these official units of measurement, “household” measures are actively used in colloquial speech: a can of beer, a bottle of water, a box of tangerines, a piece of sausage, etc. Here are some of these words. Note that they are sometimes used in figuratively(a grain of truth - a grain of truth, a grain of truth).
-
a bar of
- chocolate - chocolate bar
- soap - a piece of soap
- gold - an ingot of gold
-
a box of
- cereal - box of cereal
- chocolat (chocolates) - box chocolates
-
a pile of
- paper - a bunch of papers
- trash - a pile of garbage
-
a glass of
- water, wine etc - a glass of wine, water, etc.
-
a drop of
- oil, blood, water - a drop of oil, blood, water, etc.
-
a piece of
- cake - a piece of cake
- furniture - a piece of furniture
- advice - advice (singular)
- luggage - a piece of luggage (e.g. one suitcase)
-
a carton of
- ice cream - packaging (box) of ice cream
- milk - a carton of milk
- juice - juice box
- cigarettes - block of cigarettes
-
a crate of
- oysters - a box of shrimp
- coconuts - box of coconuts
-
a bowl of
- cereal - a cup of cereal
- rice - a cup of rice
- soup - a cup of soup
-
a grain of
- rice - a grain of rice (one rice)
- sand - a grain of sand
- truth - grain of truth
-
a bottle of
- water - water
- wine - wine
-
a slice of
- bread - a piece of bread
- meat - a piece of meat
- cheese - a piece of cheese
-
a bag of
- sugar - a bag of sugar
- flour - bag of flour
-
a pack of
- cigarettes - pack of cigarettes
- cards - deck of cards (UK), deck\set of cards - US
-
a roll of
- tape - film roll
- toilet paper - roll toilet paper
-
a handful of
- dust - a handful of dust
- salt - a handful of salt
-
a pinch of
- salt - a pinch of salt
- pepper - a pinch of pepper
Notes:
- Disposable plastic cups are foam cups, not foam glasses, or usually just cups. Foam glass is foam glass (stoymaterial).
- Packages in stores are bags, not packs.
- box is usually small cardboard box(box of cereal, candy) crate- box (ex. wooden box with fruits).
- Slice is a piece cut with a knife.
- Cup- This is a cup for drinks (tea, coffee), and bowl- a cup for food.
- Advice is an uncountable noun, like information or knowledge. When talking about a single piece of advice, the expression “a piece of advice” is used.
Is it difficult to get used to English units of measurement?
When I arrived in the US on the program, I already spoke pretty good English. I had no problems when I talked with the employer - he was even surprised by my knowledge of the language. But when I had a physical, the doctor asked me three simple questions, and I couldn't answer any of them. She asked me my height, weight and eye color. And then I realized that I have no idea what my height and weight are according to the American system. As for the eyes (brown), I wanted to say that hazel, but I doubted - and not in vain, brown eyes (in my case) are English brown, and hazel eyes are light brown, closer to green.
This is what hazel eyes look like
Later it turned out that we encounter measures of measurement at every step. Before, I just never paid attention to it. At first, I tried to roughly translate American units into ours in my mind: I counted a pound as a pound, and a mile as a kilometer and a half. As for the temperature, I remembered that 80 degrees is hot, and 100 is hellish heat (this happens in New Orleans).
This approach is suitable if you are in the US for a few days, but if you live there for a long time, work, communicate with local residents, then it is better not to suffer with conversion, but just get used to counting apples in pounds, distance in miles, and height in feet and inches . The fastest “internal converter” is turned off in the most important thing - the currency.
At first, when buying a gallon of milk, I considered how much it was in rubles and how much milk could be bought with this money from us, but later this habit disappeared. In America, there are other ratios between the prices of different things, products, and there is simply no point in constantly translating and comparing something.