Fractions and Percentages
A little math for now: we will learn how to read percentages, common fractions, and decimals in Chinese.
How to read a common fraction
Common fractions, such as 1/3 or 2/7, should be stated bottom-up.
Use the scheme:
Scheme
the number in the denominator
below the line
分之
fēnzhī
the number in the numerator
above the line
Examples
五分之二
2/5
wǔ fēnzhī èr
五十六分之二十五
25/56
wǔshíliù fēnzhī èrshíwǔ
三分之一
1/3
sān fēnzhī yī
How to read a decimal fraction
Decimal fractions are divided into a whole part and a decimal part. For example: 4.5 or 8.02.
In writing, the whole and decimal parts are separated from each other by a dot. Orally, the decimal point is called 点 
.
.Scheme
whole part
点
decimal part
Examples
八点七五
8,75
bā diǎn qī wǔ
Pay attention
The numeral after 点 are stated one by one, without stating the digits.
How to read percentages
The numbers in percentages should be stated backwards. First you have to say the phrase 百分之 and then the numeral.
After saying the percentage we should put the particle 的 before the noun.
and then the numeral.
After saying the percentage we should put the particle 的 before the noun.Scheme
百分之
numeral
的
noun
Examples
餐费包括百分之十的服务费
The meal includes a 10% service charge
cānfèi bāokuò bǎifēnzhī shí de fúwùfèi
百分之八十的人口是农民
80% of the population are farmers.
băifēnzhī bāshí de rénkŏu shìnóngmín
Pay attention
When it’s 100%, we should say 百分之百 .
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