HSK 4
小数、分数、百分数、倍数的表示法
xiǎo shù 、 fēn shù 、 bǎi fēn shù 、 bèi shù de biǎo shì fǎ
Expressing decimals, fractions, percentages, and multiples in Chinese
Explanation
This is how to read and express decimals, fractions, percentages, and multiples in Chinese.
For decimals, use 点 (diǎn, 'point') and then read each digit of the fractional part one by one, e.g. 85.5 = 八十五点五 bāshíwǔ diǎn wǔ, 0.3 = 零点三 líng diǎn sān. For fractions, use ...分之... (fēnzhī) with the DENOMINATOR read first and the NUMERATOR read after, e.g. 2/3 = 三分之二 sān fēn zhī èr (read: 'three parts of which two'). For percentages, use 百分之... (bǎifēnzhī) + number, e.g. 50% = 百分之五十 bǎi fēn zhī wǔshí. For multiples, use number + 倍 (bèi), e.g. 三倍 sān bèi = 'three times'.
When talking about scores, ratios, statistics, prices, and how-many-times comparisons in daily life and mathematics.
The hardest point for Vietnamese learners is that fractions and percentages are read in the REVERSE order compared to Vietnamese: the denominator comes BEFORE 分之, the numerator comes AFTER (三分之二 = 2/3, not 3/2). For multiples, 是...的三倍 shì...de sān bèi means 'three times as much', i.e. equal to 3 times the original amount.
(1) Reading fractions/percentages in numerator-denominator order as in Vietnamese (wrong). (2) Reading the decimal part as tens (0.15 must be read 零点一五 líng diǎn yāo wǔ, NOT 零点十五). (3) Confusing 倍 bèi ('times, fold') with the way of increasing/decreasing by percentage.
Examples
The average score of this exam is 85.5 points.
Of these one hundred Chinese characters, I recognize two thirds.
The price of this pen has dropped by 50% compared to the original.
The number of boys in Class 3 is three times the number of girls.
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
Learn “小数、分数、百分数、倍数的表示法” effectively
The grammar point “小数、分数、百分数、倍数的表示法” (Expressing decimals, fractions, percentages, and multiples in Chinese) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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