小数
xiǎoshù
The English phrase "decimal" is translated into Mandarin as 小数 (xiǎoshù).
In Mandarin, 小数 is used to refer to a decimal number.
Meaning: number system (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 小数 literally means "small number".
Which one should you use?
Use 小数 when referring to a decimal number, but use 十进制 when referring to the base-10 decimal system.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to refer specifically to the "decimal point", you can use the term 小数点, which is formed by adding the character 点 (meaning dot or point) to the end of the word for decimal.
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎoshù
Did you know?
- To describe a 'decimal place', Chinese speakers use the word 位 'wèi', which is the same classifier used for 'seats' in a theater or 'positions' in a row.
- When reading 小数 aloud in a classroom, Chinese students often call the decimal point 点 'diǎn', which is the same word used for 'o'clock' when telling time.
- The word for 'decimal' shares the character 小 with the word for 'kid' or 'young animal', such as 小狗 for 'puppy'.
Examples in context
- 这个数是一个小数。This number is a decimal.
- 把小数点放在正确的位置上。Place the decimal point in the correct position.
- 只保留小数部分。Keep only the decimal part.
- 这个计算里有小数。Zhège jìsuàn lǐ yǒu xiǎoshù.There are decimals in this calculation.
- 请把小数部分写清楚。Qǐng bǎ xiǎoshù bùfèn xiě qīngchǔ.Please write the decimal part clearly.
- 我不懂怎么处理小数。Wǒ bù dǒng zěnme chǔlǐ xiǎoshù.I don't know how to handle decimals.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a math problem in class.
- 欣怡 Xinyi这里的答案应该是一个小数吗？Zhèlǐ de dá'àn yīnggāi shì yīgè xiǎoshù ma?Should the answer here be a decimal?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，不要写成分数。Shì de, bùyào xiě chéng fēnshù.Yes, don't write it as a fraction.
- 欣怡 Xinyi我知道了，那我写成小数。Wǒ zhīdào le, nà wǒ xiě chéng xiǎoshù.I see, then I'll write it as a decimal.
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，就这样写。Méi wèntí, jiù zhèyàng xiě.No problem, just write it like that.
