Greetings! Are you interested in learning how to say “percent” in Chinese? Look no further. In this guide, we’ll explore both the formal and informal ways to express this term, along with some regional variations. With tips, examples, and a warm tone, we’ll ensure that you grasp the nuances and usage of the word. Let’s dive right in!
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Formal Ways to Say “Percent” in Chinese
When it comes to formal situations, such as business settings, official documents, or academic contexts, using the appropriate terminology is crucial. Here are the primary formal ways to say “percent” in Chinese:
1. 百分之 (bǎi fēn zhī)
The most common and widely understood way to say “percent” is to use the term “百分之” (bǎi fēn zhī). This phrase literally translates to “one hundredth.” Let’s see how it’s used in a sentence:
他的考试成绩是百分之九十。 (Tā de kǎo shì chéng jì shì bǎi fēn zhī jiǔ shí.)
This sentence translates to “He scored ninety percent on the exam.” Remember, 百分之 (bǎi fēn zhī) is the go-to formal term for “percent.”
2. 百分比 (bǎi fēn bǐ)
Another formal option is to use the phrase “百分比” (bǎi fēn bǐ), which directly translates to “percentage” in Chinese. Let’s see an example:
报告显示，投资增长了百分之五。 (Bào gào xiǎn shì, tóu zī zēng zhǎng le bǎi fēn zhī wǔ.)
This sentence means “The report shows that the investment increased by five percent.” In formal settings, you can confidently use 百分比 (bǎi fēn bǐ) to refer to a percentage.
Informal Ways to Say “Percent” in Chinese
Now that we’ve explored formal ways of expressing “percent,” let’s delve into informal ways that are commonly used in everyday conversations and casual writing.
1. 百分之几 (bǎi fēn zhī jǐ)
When you want to mention a rough percentage without being too specific, you can use the phrase “百分之几” (bǎi fēn zhī jǐ). It translates to “a few percent” in English:
这个产品的折扣是百分之几？ (Zhè gè chǎn pǐn de zhé kòu shì bǎi fēn zhī jǐ?)
Here, we ask “What is the discount percentage for this product?” Note that 百分之几 (bǎi fēn zhī jǐ) indicates an approximate percentage, which is often sufficient in informal contexts.
2. 几成 (jǐ chéng)
In colloquial language, an alternative to 百分之几 (bǎi fēn zhī jǐ) is to use “几成” (jǐ chéng), which literally means “how many out of ten.” This phrase is commonly used to refer to an estimated or calculated percentage:
今天的考试有几成把握？ (Jīn tiān de kǎo shì yǒu jǐ chéng bǎ wò?)
This sentence asks “What is the likelihood of passing today’s exam?” Using 几成 (jǐ chéng) provides a more casual and conversational tone.
Regional Variations
While Mandarin Chinese is the official language of China, several regional variations exist. Let’s briefly explore how different regions refer to “percent” in their respective dialects:
1. Cantonese (Hong Kong)
In Cantonese, the commonly used term for “percent” is “百份比” (baak3 fan6 bei2). Here’s an example of how it can be used:
佢考到嘅分數係百份比九十五。 (Keoi5 haau3 dou2 ge3 fan1 sou3 hai6 baak3 fan6 bei2 gau2 sap6 ng5.)
This sentence translates to “He scored 95 percent.” Remember, when in Hong Kong or conversing with Cantonese speakers, you can use 百份比 (baak3 fan6 bei2).
2. Taiwanese Mandarin (Taiwan)
In Taiwanese Mandarin, you will often hear the term “百分比” (peh8 hun2 pí2) used to mean “percent.” Here’s an example sentence:
我們公司的市場份額增加了百分比兩倍。 (Góa m̄-siong kong-si ê sī-tiān hun2 pí2 tòng-ka lãu hun2 bā-bé.)
This sentence translates to “Our company’s market share has increased by 200 percent.” If you find yourself in Taiwan, feel free to use 百分比 (peh8 hun2 pí2) in your conversations.
In Summary
Whether you’re in a formal or informal setting, knowing how to say “percent” in Chinese is important. In formal situations, you can use “百分之” (bǎi fēn zhī) or “百分比” (bǎi fēn bǐ). For everyday conversations, “百分之几” (bǎi fēn zhī jǐ) or “几成” (jǐ chéng) are more appropriate. Remember, regional variations exist, such as “百份比” (baak3 fan6 bei2) in Cantonese and “百分比” (peh8 hun2 pí2) in Taiwanese Mandarin.
Now armed with this knowledge, you can confidently express percentages in Chinese. Happy conversations and good luck with your language learning journey!
