Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “multiply” in Chinese! In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to express this concept in Mandarin Chinese. While regional variations exist, we will focus on standard Mandarin. So, let’s dive in and explore different ways to say “multiply” in Chinese, along with useful tips and examples!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Multiply” in Chinese
In formal settings or when discussing mathematical operations, there are several Chinese terms you can use to express the concept of multiplication. Here are the most common ones:
1. 乘法 (chéngfǎ)
The term “乘法” directly translates to “multiplication” in English. It is the most common and widely understood way to express the concept of multiplication in Chinese.
Example:
To say “5 multiplied by 3 equals 15” in Chinese, you would say “5 乘以 3 等于 15” (wǔ chéng yǐ sān děngyú shíwǔ).
2. 相乘 (xiāngchéng)
Another formal term for expressing multiplication is “相乘.” It emphasizes the action of multiplying two or more numbers together.
3. 乘积 (chéngjī)
“乘积” refers specifically to the product or result obtained through multiplication. It is commonly used when discussing mathematical equations or describing the outcome of a multiplication operation.
Informal Ways to Say “Multiply” in Chinese
In informal situations or everyday conversations, you can use simpler expressions to convey the idea of multiplication. Here are a few common ways to do so:
1. 乘以 (chéng yǐ)
When discussing multiplication casually, Chinese speakers often use the phrase “乘以,” which means “multiplied by” in English. It is a straightforward expression commonly used in everyday calculations.
2. 乘 (chéng)
Using the character “乘” on its own without “以” is also an acceptable way to say “multiply” in Chinese. This shortened form is commonly used in informal contexts, such as during quick mental calculations or when writing notes.
Example:
To say “Multiply these two numbers together,” you could use the phrase “把这两个数字乘在一起” (bǎ zhè liǎng gè shùzì chéng zài yīqǐ) or simply say “把这两个数字乘一下” (bǎ zhè liǎng gè shùzì chéng yīxià).
Tips for Pronunciation
Proper pronunciation is essential for effective communication. Here are a few tips to help you pronounce “multiply” accurately in Mandarin Chinese:
- The pinyin for “multiply” in Mandarin is “chéng.” Pronounce it like the English word “chung,” but with a softer “ch” sound, similar to the “ch” in “cheese.”
- For “乘以” (chéng yǐ), pronounce “chéng” as explained above, and “yǐ” as “ee” with a rising tone.
- “相乘” (xiāngchéng) is pronounced as “shyang” (rhymes with “young”) followed by “chung.”
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve learned multiple ways to say “multiply” in Chinese. In formal settings, “乘法” (chéngfǎ), “相乘” (xiāngchéng), and “乘积” (chéngjī) are commonly used. In informal conversations, “乘以” (chéng yǐ) or “乘” (chéng) will suffice. Remember to pay attention to correct pronunciation and practice using the phrases in context for better fluency. Happy learning!
