NumbersHSK 4
Expressing fractions with 分之
To express fractions, the denominator comes before the numerator, connected by 分之. This follows the Chinese preference for 'big to small' order, like dates. Be careful not to swap the order, as it's opposite to English.
Structure
Denominator + 分之 + Numerator
Denominator is the bottom number; numerator the top. Order is opposite to English.
Examples
- 我的手机电量只有百分之五了。Wǒ de shǒujī diànliàng zhǐ yǒu bǎi fēn zhī wǔ le.My phone only has 5% power left.
- 这个文件已经下载了三分之二。Zhège wénjiàn yǐjīng xiàzǎi le sān fēn zhī èr.This document is two-thirds downloaded.
- 这篇文章有五分之三是抄别人的。Zhè piān wénzhāng yǒu wǔ fēn zhī sān shì chāo biérén de.Three fifths of this article has been copied from others.
- 差不多三分之一的美国人有护照。Chàbuduō sān fēn zhī yī de Měiguó rén yǒu hùzhào.About one third of Americans have passports.
- 我们学校四分之三的老师都是男老师。Wǒmen xuéxiào sì fēn zhī sān de lǎoshī dōu shì nán lǎoshī.Three fourths of the teachers at our school are male teachers.