亿万富翁
yìwàn fùwēng
The English word 'billionaire' is translated into Chinese as 亿万富翁 (yìwàn fùwēng).
The term refers to an individual with wealth exceeding one billion (10⁹). The character 富 within the phrase means wealthy. You may also encounter the phrase 超级富豪, which means 'super billionaire'.
Meaning: wealth exceeding one billion (10<sup>9</sup>) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 亿万 (yìwàn), meaning 'hundred millions' or 'billions' and 富翁 (fùwēng), meaning 'wealthy man'.
Which one should you use?
While 亿万富翁 specifically implies a billionaire, the shorter term 富翁 is a more general term for a wealthy person or millionaire.
How does it change in a sentence?
亿万富翁 is a noun that does not change its form for pluralization.
How do you pronounce it?
yìwàn fùwēng
Did you know?
- The word 万 (wàn), which means 'ten thousand', serves as a fundamental building block for almost all large numbers in Chinese, including the components of 'billionaire'.
- In modern Chinese internet slang, the term 土豪 (tǔháo) is often used instead of 富翁 to describe 'nouveau riche' billionaires who flaunt their wealth flashily.
- The character 翁 (wēng) in 亿万富翁 specifically carries a connotation of an elderly, dignified man, making the term feel more formal and respectful than the English 'billionaire'.
Examples in context
- 他是一位亿万富豪。He is a billionaire.
- 这位富豪拥有多家公司。This billionaire owns multiple companies.
- 那个亿万富翁非常低调。Nàge yìwàn fùwēng fēicháng dīdiào.That billionaire is very low-profile.
- 想成为亿万富翁很难。Xiǎng chéngwéi yìwàn fùwēng hěn nán.It is hard to become a billionaire.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a news report about a wealthy businessman.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你看到关于那个亿万富翁的新闻了吗？Nǐ kàndào guānyú nàge yìwàn fùwēng de xīnwén le ma?Did you see the news about that billionaire?
- 雨婷 Yuting看到了，他真的很富有。Kàndào le, tā zhēn de hěn fùyǒu.I saw it, he is really wealthy.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也希望我能像他一样有钱。Wǒ yě xīwàng wǒ néng xiàng tā yīyàng yǒuqián.I also hope I can be as rich as him.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，梦想还是要努力实现的。Zhìqiáng, mèngxiǎng háishì yào nǔlì shíxiàn de.Zhiqiang, you still have to work hard to make dreams come true.
