Difference between revisions of "Expressing fractions with "fenzhi""
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分之 (fēn zhī) is used to form a fraction in Chinese. When expressing a fraction, the denominator is always said before the numerator. This pattern is also the way percentages are expressed in Chinese. | 分之 (fēn zhī) is used to form a fraction in Chinese. When expressing a fraction, the denominator is always said before the numerator. This pattern is also the way percentages are expressed in Chinese. | ||
| − | So | + | So "½" is read 二分之一 (èr fēn zhī yī), literally "1 of 2 portions." Note the order: it's ''NOT'' 一分之二 (yī fēn zhī èr). So "¾" is 四分之三 (sì fēn zhī sān), and "⅚" is 六分之五 (liù fēn zhī wǔ). To say a percentage, for example, 50 percent, you would say 百分之五十 (bǎi fēn zhī wǔshí), which is literally the same as how you would pronounce the equivalent fraction "50 hundredths." |
== Basic Pattern == | == Basic Pattern == | ||
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Denominator + 分之 + Numerator | Denominator + 分之 + Numerator | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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| + | Remember that the ''denominator'' is the ''bottom'' number in a fraction, but it comes ''first'' in spoken Chinese. | ||
=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
Revision as of 13:46, 21 July 2018
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分之 (fēn zhī) is used to form a fraction in Chinese. When expressing a fraction, the denominator is always said before the numerator. This pattern is also the way percentages are expressed in Chinese.
So "½" is read 二分之一 (èr fēn zhī yī), literally "1 of 2 portions." Note the order: it's NOT 一分之二 (yī fēn zhī èr). So "¾" is 四分之三 (sì fēn zhī sān), and "⅚" is 六分之五 (liù fēn zhī wǔ). To say a percentage, for example, 50 percent, you would say 百分之五十 (bǎi fēn zhī wǔshí), which is literally the same as how you would pronounce the equivalent fraction "50 hundredths."
Contents
Basic Pattern
Structure
Denominator + 分之 + Numerator
Remember that the denominator is the bottom number in a fraction, but it comes first in spoken Chinese.
Examples
- 我 的 手机 电量 只 有 百 分 之 五 了 。My phone battery only has 5% left.
- 这个 文件 已经 下载 了 三 分 之 二 。Two thirds of this document has been downloaded.
- 这 篇 文章 有 五 分 之 三 是 抄 别人 的 。Three fifths of this article are copied from other people.
- 差不多 三 分 之 一 的 美国 人 有 护照 。Almost one third of America's population has a passport.
- 我们 学校 四 分 之 三 的 老师 都 是 男 老师 。Three fourths of the teachers at our school are male teachers.
Advanced Pattern
Structure
A + 是 / 占 + B + 的 + Denominator + 分之 + Numerator
Examples
- 我们 公司 的 外国 员工 占 三 分 之 一 。One third of our company's employees are foreigners.
- 美国 人口 是 中国 的 五 分 之 一 。America's population is one fifth of China's.
- 押金 是 房租 的 百 分 之 二十 。The deposit is 20% of the rent.
- 期末 考试 成绩 占 总 成绩 的 百 分 之 三十 。 The grade of the final exam is 30% of total score.
- 在 美国 ，全职 妈妈 差不多 占 五 分 之 二 。In the US, two fifths of moms are full-time moms.
