Decimals, Fractions, Percentages, and Multiples in Chinese
小数、分数、百分数和倍数
Mandarin reads a decimal with 点 followed by individual digits, a fraction with the denominator before 分之 and the numerator after it, and a percentage with 百分之 before the number. Multiples place a numeral before 倍. These forms encode mathematical values; their comparison syntax may require additional markers such as 是 or 的.
Published August 7, 2026
Reviewed August 7, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Whole + 点 + Digits; Denominator + 分之 + Numerator; 百分之 + Number; Number + 倍
Read the structure
Mandarin reads a decimal with 点 followed by individual digits, a fraction with the denominator before 分之 and the numerator after it, and a percentage with 百分之 before the number. Multiples place a numeral before 倍. These forms encode mathematical values; their comparison syntax may require additional markers such as 是 or 的. Keep the model Whole + 点 + Digits; Denominator + 分之 + Numerator; 百分之 + Number; Number + 倍 visible while you compare each sentence.
三点二五是一个小数。
3.25 is a decimal.
Choose the right context
Read decimal digits individually after 点. Put the denominator before 分之 and the numerator after it. Express percentages with 百分之 and multiplicative values with number plus 倍.
三分之二的学生来了。
Two thirds of the students came.
Respect the boundary
Do not read the decimal tail as one multi-digit integer. Do not put the numerator before 分之 in the standard fraction form. Do not use 倍 alone when the multiplier must be specified.
三点二十五是一个小数。
(Three point twenty-five is a decimal.)
Repair the pattern
The decimal tail is read as an integer: Digits after decimal 点 are read one by one, so .25 is 二五 rather than 二十五. The fraction order is reversed: For two thirds, denominator 三 precedes 分之 and numerator 二 follows it.
三点二五是一个小数。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
三点二五是一个小数。
3.25 is a decimal.
三
Whole
This part occupies the Whole position in the model pattern.
点
点
This part occupies the 点 position in the model pattern.
二
Digits; Denominator
This part occupies the Digits; Denominator position in the model pattern.
五
分之
This part occupies the 分之 position in the model pattern.
是
Numerator; 百分之
This part occupies the Numerator; 百分之 position in the model pattern.
一个
Number; Number
This part occupies the Number; Number position in the model pattern.
小数
倍
This part occupies the 倍 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
三点二五是一个小数。
3.25 is a decimal.
三分之二的学生来了。
Two thirds of the students came.
今年的产量是去年的两倍。
This year's output is twice last year's.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Read decimal digits individually after 点.
- Put the denominator before 分之 and the numerator after it.
- Express percentages with 百分之 and multiplicative values with number plus 倍.
Do not use it when
- Do not read the decimal tail as one multi-digit integer.
- Do not put the numerator before 分之 in the standard fraction form.
- Do not use 倍 alone when the multiplier must be specified.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
三点二十五是一个小数。
三点二五是一个小数。
The decimal tail is read as an integer
Digits after decimal 点 are read one by one, so .25 is 二五 rather than 二十五.
二分之三的学生来了。
三分之二的学生来了。
The fraction order is reversed
For two thirds, denominator 三 precedes 分之 and numerator 二 follows it.
三点二十五是一个小数。
Digits after decimal 点 are read one by one, so .25 is 二五 rather than 二十五.
二分之三的学生来了。
For two thirds, denominator 三 precedes 分之 and numerator 二 follows it.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 小数、分数、百分数和倍数.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 小数、分数、百分数和倍数. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Decimals, Fractions, Percentages, and Multiples Questions
How do I say 20 percent?
Say 百分之二十. 百分之 functions like the fixed hundredths frame before the percentage number.
Does 两倍 mean two times as much or two times more?
In an equation such as A是B的两倍, it means A equals two units of B. English 'times more' wording can be ambiguous, so compare the actual values.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 4 item 【四62】, PDF p. 220 (printed p. 214)
Places decimals, fractions, percentages, and multiples at Level 4 and supplies formulas and examples for all four categories.
Official sourceLaoshi Chinese Grammar Reference
Laoshi editorial team · Laoshi · 2026
Locator: Grammar article 61, Fractions and Percentages; article 261, Expressing multiplicity with 倍
Explains decimal digit reading, denominator-first 分之 order, 百分之 percentages, and numeral plus 倍 multiplicative expressions.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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数量短语Basic Quantity Phrases
Connect ordinary numeral expressions with reading ratios, decimal values, and multiples.
Compare
个Chinese Measure Words
Mathematical formats encode values directly, while counted nouns normally still require classifiers.
Easy to confuse
无标记数量差比较Markerless Comparison with a Quantity Difference
Compare exact ratios and multiples with a bare quantity difference after a predicate.
Continue learning
比The 比 (bǐ) Comparison
Use percentages or multiples as precise measurements inside broader quantitative comparisons.
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