Learn how to express times (multiples), percentages, fractions, and decimals in Chinese with proper grammar structures
1 Times / Multiples: 倍 (bèi)
The concept of “times” or “multiples” is expressed in Chinese using the word 倍 (bèi). This is used to indicate how many times larger or smaller something is compared to something else.
English to Chinese Comparison
Key Point: The structure is the same as English: Number + 倍 (bèi).
Examples of Times Expressions
| Chinese | Pinyin | Translation |
|---|---|---|
|
四倍
|
sì bèi | four times |
|
十倍
|
shí bèi | ten times |
|
一百倍
|
yī bǎi bèi | one hundred times |
Usage Notes
- 倍 (bèi) is only used for multiplication comparisons, not for addition.
- Can be used in comparisons: A 是 B 的 X 倍 (A is X times B).
- Also used in percentages: 增加了一倍。 (increased by 100%)
2 Percentages: 百分之 (bǎi fēn zhī)
Percentages in Chinese are formed by placing the number after 百分之 (bǎi fēn zhī). The structure is: 百分之 + Number = Number%.
Understanding 百分之
Percentage Examples
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| 97% |
百分之九十七
|
bǎi fēn zhī jiǔ shí qī |
| 50% |
百分之五十
|
bǎi fēn zhī wǔ shí |
| 100% |
百分之一百
|
bǎi fēn zhī yī bǎi |
| 7.5% |
百分之七点五
|
bǎi fēn zhī qī diǎn wǔ |
3 Fractions: 分之 (fēn zhī)
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4 Decimals: 点 (diǎn)
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Practice Exercises
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