Chinese Fractions, Percentages & Multiples — 分之/百分之/倍

Fractions (分数 fēnshù), percentages (百分数 bǎifēnshù), and multiples (倍数 bèishù) let you talk about parts, ratios, and scaling. Chinese builds all three with compact, regular patterns — but the number order is the opposite of English, so it is a classic trap for learners.

The three key markers are 分之 (fēn zhī) for fractions, 百分之 (bǎi fēn zhī) for percentages, and 倍 (bèi) for multiples. Once you learn the order rules, the whole system falls into place.

These appear at HSK 4–5 and are essential for real-world talk: prices (打五折 is 50% off), statistics (百分之二十 = 20%), and comparisons (三倍 = three times as much).

The fraction marker is 分之 (fēn zhī). The pattern is denominator + 分之 + numerator — the REVERSE of English. 二分之一 (èr fēn zhī yī) means "1/2": 二 "two" is the denominator, 一 "one" is the numerator. 三分之一 = 1/3, 四分之三 (sì fēn zhī sān) = 3/4.

Read 分之 literally as "parts of": 四分之三 = "three parts of four" = 3/4. The denominator always comes first, then 分之, then the numerator.

Common fractions you will use daily: 二分之一 (1/2), 三分之一 (1/3), 四分之一 (1/4), 四分之三 (3/4), 三分之二 (2/3), 五分之二 (2/5). Example: 这个班三分之二是女生 — "two thirds of this class are girls."

This reversed order is the number-one mistake English speakers make — never translate "3/4" as 三分之四, which would mean 4/3.

Percentages use 百分之 (bǎi fēn zhī) + the number. 百分之五十 (bǎi fēn zhī wǔshí) = 50%, 百分之二十 = 20%, 百分之一 = 1%. The word 百分数 (bǎifēnshù) means "percentage".

For 100% you can say either 百分之百 (bǎi fēn zhī bǎi) or 百分之一百 (bǎi fēn zhī yībǎi). 百分之百 is more common and doubles as an adverb meaning "absolutely / totally": 我百分之百相信你 — "I believe you 100%".

五十 percent equals 一半 (yíbàn) "half", but 百分之五十 is the formal/statistical form. In everyday speech 一半 is more natural: 我吃了一半 — "I ate half of it."

Example: 房价上涨了百分之十 — "housing prices rose 10%." Notice the percentage follows the verb, just like a quantity.

The multiple marker is 倍 (bèi), meaning "times / -fold". The pattern is number + 倍: 两倍 (twice / double), 三倍 (three times), 五倍 (five times), 好几倍 (several times).

一倍 means "once / the same amount", while 两倍 (or 二倍) means "twice / double". In everyday speech 两倍 is preferred for "double": 这个比那个贵两倍 — "this is twice as expensive as that."

Be precise about increase: 增加了一倍 (zēngjiāle yí bèi) means "increased by 100% (doubled)", while 增加到两倍 means "increased to double". 翻倍 (fān bèi) means "to double" — 价格翻倍了 "the price doubled."

Example: 上海的人口是北京的两倍 — "Shanghai's population is twice Beijing's." The comparison follows A 是 B 的 N倍.

Half has two forms: 一半 (yíbàn) "half" and 二分之一 "1/2". 一半 is the everyday word: 一半人同意 (half the people agree), 我吃了一半 (I ate half). Use 二分之一 in math or formal writing.

A quarter is 四分之一 (1/4), but in shopping and discounts you more often hear 打七五折 (25% off) and 打五折 (50% off). Note the discount word 折 (zhé): 打五折 = 50% off, the opposite of what "五折" literally looks like to a newcomer.

For "a third", 三分之一 is standard. There is no single everyday word for "a third" like English "third" — you always say 三分之一.

Do not reverse the fraction order. 三分之一 is 1/3 (denominator 三 first), not 3/1. The denominator always precedes 分之.

Do not confuse 一半 with 二分之一 in register. 一半 is spoken and natural; 二分之一 is formal or mathematical.

Do not mix up 一倍 and 两倍. 一倍 = the same amount, 两倍 = double. Saying 一倍 when you mean "twice" is a common slip.

Do not say 百分之五十 when 一半 is more natural in casual talk — reserve 百分之 for statistics and formal numbers.

Do not forget 倍 always follows a number (三倍, not 倍三), and 分之/百分之 must keep 之 in the middle (三分一 is wrong; it is 三分之一).