Decimals, Fractions, Percentages, and Multiples
小数、分数、百分数、倍数的表示法
Read and express decimals, fractions, percentages, and multiples in Chinese
Decimals use 点 (diǎn) for the decimal point. Fractions read from denominator to numerator: Y分之X means X/Y. Percentages use 百分之 followed by the number. Multiples use 倍 (bèi) after the number.
The fraction pattern reads "bottom up" — the denominator (分母) comes first, then 之, then the numerator (分子). This is the opposite of English. Percentages are just fractions with 百 as the denominator.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Decimals, Fractions, Percentages, and Multiples (小数、分数、百分数、倍数的表示法)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 小数、分数、百分数、倍数的表示法 pattern
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Understanding 小数、分数、百分数、倍数的表示法
Numbers in Chinese go beyond whole numbers, and at HSK 4 you need to handle decimals, fractions, percentages, and multiples with confidence. Decimals are the easiest — just say 点 where you see the decimal point: 3.5 becomes 三点五. Fractions are the trickiest because the order is reversed from English: "two-thirds" is 三分之二 (literally "of three parts, two"). Think of it as "out of three, take two." Percentages follow the same logic — they are just fractions with 百 as the base: 50% is 百分之五十. Finally, multiples use 倍: if something is three times as much, it is 三倍. These number expressions appear constantly in news, business, and everyday conversation about prices, statistics, and comparisons.
Key Points
- 小数 (decimals): read each digit after 点 individually — 3.14 = 三点一四, not 三点十四.
- 分数 (fractions): denominator + 分之 + numerator — 2/3 = 三分之二.
- 百分数 (percentages): 百分之 + number — 50% = 百分之五十.
- 倍数 (multiples): number + 倍 — "three times" = 三倍.
- 零点 (líng diǎn) is used for decimals less than 1: 0.3 = 零点三.
- To say "X is N times Y": X是Y的N倍.
- Percentages and fractions can be used as modifiers: 百分之八十的学生 (80% of students).
In Chinese media and business, percentages and multiples are used very frequently. News reports often say things like 增长了百分之十 (grew by 10%) or 是去年的两倍 (is twice last year). Being comfortable with these expressions is essential for reading Chinese news or doing business in China.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
零点三加零点七等于一。
0.3 plus 0.7 equals 1.
这一百个汉字，我认识三分之二。
Of these 100 characters, I know two-thirds.
这支笔的价格比原来降低了百分之五十。
The price of this pen has been reduced by 50%.
三班男生人数是女生人数的三倍。
In class three, the number of boys is three times the number of girls.
圆周率大约是三点一四一五九。
Pi is approximately 3.14159.
Each digit after 点 is read individually
百分之八十的学生通过了考试。
80% of the students passed the exam.
今年的收入是去年的两倍。
This year's income is twice last year's.
Use 两 not 二 for "two times"
四分之三的人同意这个计划。
Three-quarters of the people agree with this plan.
Common Mistakes
In Chinese, the denominator comes first: 三分之二 means "of three parts, two" = 2/3. The order is reversed from English.
After the decimal point, read each digit individually. 3.14 is 三点一四, not 三点十四.
When saying "two times," use 两倍, not 二倍. 两 is used for quantities before measure words.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
For fractions, think "bottom-up": the denominator (bottom number) comes first in Chinese.
After 点, always read digits one by one — never group them into tens or hundreds.
Percentages are just fractions with 百 as the denominator: 百分之 = "out of one hundred."
For "two times," always use 两倍, not 二倍. This is the same 两 vs 二 rule you learned earlier.
Homework
Write eight sentences: two using decimals (点), two using fractions (分之), two using percentages (百分之), and two using multiples (倍). Try to use real-life contexts like grades, prices, or population.