When people use the saying “七尺男儿”, they're usually referring a man who is tall and strong. However, it's not easy (tell) exactly how long 7 chi is. As a traditional Chinese unit of length, the (measure) of chi has changed frequently over time.
In earlier times, such as the Shang Dynasty, I chi was the same as 15.8cm. So 7 chi would be equal to about 110cm. A 7-chi-tall man at the time would be a little person.
During the Warring States Period and Han Dynasty, 1 chi (be) equal to 23cm. So 7 chi would be about 162cm.
When came to the Three Kingdoms period, 1 chi became longer and reached 24.2cm. So 7 chi would be equal to about 170cm, which would (regard) as medium height today.
In the following (dynasty), chi continued to become (long). It became 24.5cm in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, 29. 6cm in the Tang Dynasty and 31.2cm in the Song Dynasty. (final) in the Qing Dynasty, 1 chi was 35.5cm, means that 7-chi-tall man would be 248.5cm. That would be a real giant!
Today, 1 chi is measured around 33.3cm. So 7 chi would be 233cm.
