bàn半halfjīn斤cattybā八eightliǎng两tael
Six of one, half a dozen of the other; much the same.
Literal meaning
half (半) — catty (斤) — eight (八) — tael (两)
Origin
In the past, one catty (斤) equaled sixteen taels (两). Therefore, half a catty (八两) is the same weight as eight taels (八两).
Examples
Tā他men们liǎng两ge个rén人de的shuǐ水píng平bàn半jīn斤bā八liǎng两，shéi谁yě也yíng赢bù不liǎo了shéi谁。
The two of them are evenly matched; neither can beat the other.
Zhè这liǎng两ge个fāng方àn案bàn半jīn斤bā八liǎng两，méi没yǒu有tài太dà大de的qū区bié别。
These two plans are much the same; there is not much difference.
Usage & nuances
Used to describe two things that are essentially the same or of equal value.
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