You'll often use 等于 (děngyú) to state that one thing is numerically or conceptually equal to another. It's a versatile verb that directly translates to 'to be equal to' or 'to amount to.'
Think of it as a way to express equivalence, whether you're talking about numbers, measurements, or even abstract concepts.
For example, if you want to say 'one plus one equals two,' you would use 等于.
It's also common in comparisons where you want to highlight that two things are on par with each other.
When using 等于 (děngyú), it literally means 'to be equal to' or 'to amount to'. You'll often see it in mathematical contexts or when comparing values. For example, '一加一等于二' (yī jiā yī děngyú èr) means 'one plus one equals two'.
It can also be used in a more abstract sense to mean 'is equivalent to' or 'means'. For instance, '沉默等于默认' (chénmò děngyú mòrèn) translates to 'silence means consent' or 'silence is equivalent to consent'.
Remember that it's a verb, so it directly connects the two things being compared or equated. Don't confuse it with other terms that express similarity, as 等于 specifically implies a state of being identical in value or meaning.
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
The Chinese word 等于 (děngyú) is a verb that means 'to be equal to' or 'to amount to'. It's super useful for talking about mathematical equations, comparisons, or when one thing is equivalent to another. Think of it as the 'equals' sign in a sentence.
- DEFINITION
- To be equal to; to amount to.
You'll often hear 等于 when people are doing simple math. For example, if you're adding two numbers together, 等于 is what you'd use to say what the sum is. It's not just for numbers though. You can use it to compare the value or meaning of different things.
二加二等于四。
Translation hint: Two plus two equals four.
This is a very straightforward use of 等于. It's directly translating the 'equals' in a mathematical sense.
你的决定等于放弃了机会。
Translation hint: Your decision is equal to giving up the opportunity (or amounts to giving up the opportunity).
When you're learning Chinese, it's important to recognize that many words have both a literal and a more figurative use. 等于 is a great example of this. While its core meaning is 'to be equal', its application can extend to situations where things are comparable in consequence or outcome.
Another common scenario for using 等于 is when you want to express that something is equivalent to another thing in terms of quality, size, or importance. It's a clear and concise way to draw parallels.
对我们来说，健康等于一切。
Translation hint: For us, health is equal to everything.
Here, 等于 emphasizes the supreme importance of health. It's not literally saying health is the same as 'everything' in a physical sense, but rather that its value is comparable to the value of everything else combined.
So, to sum it up, you use 等于 when:
- You're stating a mathematical equality (e.g., 2 + 2 = 4).
- You're saying that one thing or action has the same effect, result, or meaning as another.
- You're comparing the significance or value of two different things, suggesting they are on par.
Mastering 等于 will help you express precise comparisons and equivalences in Chinese. It's a foundational word for building more complex sentences and understanding how different concepts relate to each other.
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Grammaire à connaître
等于 is used to indicate that two things are numerically or quantitatively equal. It often translates to 'is equal to' or 'amounts to'.
三加二等于五. (Three plus two equals five.)
等于 can also be used to express that one thing is equivalent to another in meaning, effect, or status. In this sense, it can mean 'is tantamount to' or 'is equivalent to'.
这等于承认错误. (This amounts to admitting a mistake.)
When comparing two things, the structure is usually A 等于 B. It is generally not followed by a measure word or a specific quantity without a noun.
他的身高等于我. (His height is equal to mine.)
等于 can be used with abstract concepts as well, indicating that one situation or action has the same outcome or significance as another.
失败等于成功之母. (Failure is the mother of success.)
In some contexts, 等于 can be used humorously or emphatically to highlight an extreme similarity or consequence.
没有咖啡等于没有生活. (No coffee is equal to no life. / No coffee means no life.)
Exemples par niveau
一加一等于二。
One plus one equals two.
这个包等于多少钱？
How much does this bag equal?
十减五等于五。
Ten minus five equals five.
他的身高等于我。
His height is equal to mine.
你说的等于没说。
What you said equals saying nothing.
这杯咖啡等于一杯牛奶。
This cup of coffee is equal to a cup of milk.
两小时等于一百二十分钟。
Two hours equals one hundred twenty minutes.
考试及格等于成功了一半。
Passing the exam equals half success.
Comment l'utiliser
等于 (děngyú) is a versatile verb in Chinese that means 'to be equal to,' 'to amount to,' or 'to be equivalent to.' It's commonly used in mathematical contexts, for comparing values, or stating that one thing is the same as another. You can use it to compare quantities, values, or even concepts.
Structure: A 等于 B
This is the most straightforward use, similar to 'A equals B' in English.
Example 1: 五加五等于十。(Wǔ jiā wǔ děngyú shí.) - Five plus five equals ten.
Example 2: 这本书的价钱等于两杯咖啡。(Zhè běn shū de jiàqián děngyú liǎng bēi kāfēi.) - The price of this book is equal to two cups of coffee.
Using 等于 to express equivalence:
You can also use 等于 to say that one action or situation is equivalent to another.
Example 3: 浪费时间等于浪费生命。(Làngfèi shíjiān děngyú làngfèi shēngmìng.) - Wasting time is equivalent to wasting life.
Example 4: 他的沉默等于默认。(Tā de chénmò děngyú mòrèn.) - His silence amounts to consent.
等于 can also be used in questions:
Example 5: 一公斤等于多少克？(Yī gōngjīn děngyú duōshǎo kè?) - How many grams are equal to one kilogram?
1. Confusing 等于 with 像 (xiàng) or 好像 (hǎoxiàng) for 'like' or 'similar to':
等于 implies exact equality or equivalence, while 像 (xiàng) or 好像 (hǎoxiàng) mean 'like,' 'similar to,' or 'as if.' Don't use 等于 when you mean things are just similar.
Incorrect: 她的声音等于鸟叫。(Tā de shēngyīn děngyú niǎojiào.) - Her voice equals bird calls.
Correct: 她的声音像鸟叫。(Tā de shēngyīn xiàng niǎojiào.) - Her voice is like bird calls.
2. Using 等于 for physical resemblance:
等于 is not used to describe physical similarity between people or objects. For that, you'd use 像 (xiàng) or 长得像 (zhǎng de xiàng).
Incorrect: 他等于他爸爸。(Tā děngyú tā bàba.) - He equals his father. (This sounds like they are the same person, not that he looks like him.)
Correct: 他长得像他爸爸。(Tā zhǎng de xiàng tā bàba.) - He looks like his father.
3. Overusing 等于 when 更 (gèng) or 比 (bǐ) would be more appropriate for comparison:
If you want to say something is 'more than' or 'less than,' you should use comparisons with 更 (gèng) or 比 (bǐ), not 等于.
Incorrect: 这件衣服的价钱等于那件衣服的价钱贵。(Zhè jiàn yīfú de jiàqián děngyú nà jiàn yīfú de jiàqián guì.) - The price of this clothes equals that clothes is expensive.
Correct: 这件衣服的价钱比那件衣服贵。(Zhè jiàn yīfú de jiàqián bǐ nà jiàn yīfú guì.) - The price of this clothes is more expensive than that clothes.
Teste-toi 54 questions
五加五___十。
Five plus five 'equals' ten. '等于' (děngyú) means 'to be equal to'.
一米___一百厘米。
One meter 'equals' one hundred centimeters. '等于' (děngyú) is used for equivalence.
两杯水___一杯牛奶。
Two cups of water 'is not equal to' one cup of milk. '不等于' (bù děngyú) means 'is not equal to'.
这个数字___零。
This number 'equals' zero. '等于' (děngyú) states numerical equality.
你的身高___我的身高吗？
Is your height 'equal to' my height? '等于' (děngyú) compares two values.
两小时___一百二十分钟。
Two hours 'equals' one hundred and twenty minutes. '等于' (děngyú) expresses equivalence in units.
This sentence means 'One plus one equals two.' The common way to express 'equals' is to put '等于' in the middle of the two parts.
This means 'Is this equal to that in price?' '等于' connects '这个' (this) and '那个' (that).
This sentence means 'Her age equals mine.' You can use '等于' to compare two things, like age.
五加五___十。(Wǔ jiā wǔ ___ shí.) Five plus five ___ ten.
Here, '等于' is used to express that 'five plus five is equal to ten'. '是' means 'is' but for mathematical equations, '等于' is more appropriate. '有' means 'have' and '在' means 'at/in'.
一米___一百厘米。(Yī mǐ ___ yì bǎi lí mǐ.) One meter ___ one hundred centimeters.
In this sentence, '等于' correctly states the equivalence of one meter to one hundred centimeters. '是' (is) is not typically used for direct mathematical or unit equivalences. '有' (have) and '做' (do/make) are incorrect in this context.
十分钟___六百秒。(Shí fēn zhōng ___ liù bǎi miǎo.) Ten minutes ___ six hundred seconds.
'等于' is the correct verb to show that ten minutes is equivalent to six hundred seconds. '是' (is) is not the best fit for this kind of equivalence. '和' means 'and', and '或者' means 'or'.
两个星期___十四天。(Liǎng ge xīngqī ___ shí sì tiān.) Two weeks ___ fourteen days.
Here, '等于' is used to express that 'two weeks are equal to fourteen days'. '有' means 'have', '想' means 'want/think', and '去' means 'go'.
一小时___六十分钟。(Yī xiǎoshí ___ liù shí fēn zhōng.) One hour ___ sixty minutes.
'等于' is the proper word to show the equivalence of one hour to sixty minutes. '会' (can/will), '能' (can), and '要' (want/need) are modal verbs and do not fit this context.
一斤___五百克。(Yī jīn ___ wǔ bǎi kè.) One jin (Chinese pound) ___ five hundred grams.
'等于' correctly states that one 'jin' is equivalent to five hundred grams. '给' (give), '买' (buy), and '卖' (sell) are incorrect in this context.
五加五___十。
Here, '等于' (děngyú) means 'is equal to', which is appropriate for a mathematical equation. '是' (shì) means 'is/to be', but '等于' is more precise for numerical equality. '有' (yǒu) means 'to have'. '在' (zài) means 'to be at'.
一米___一百厘米。
'等于' (děngyú) correctly states the equality between one meter and one hundred centimeters. '像' (xiàng) means 'to be like'. '和' (hé) means 'and'. '比' (bǐ) means 'to compare'.
这两本书的价格___。
The phrase '一样' (yīyàng) means 'the same', which is the most natural fit here to say the prices are the same. While you could technically use '等于' in some contexts of equality, '一样' is more common for general sameness. '是' (shì) means 'is/to be'. '一样贵' (yīyàng guì) means 'equally expensive', which is too specific.
在中国，一公斤等于两斤。
This statement is true. In China, 1 kilogram (公斤, gōngjīn) is officially equal to 2 jin (斤, jīn), a traditional Chinese unit of weight.
我的身高等于你。
This is false. You cannot say 'my height equals you'. You should say '我的身高和你一样' (wǒ de shēnggāo hé nǐ yīyàng), meaning 'my height is the same as yours', or '我的身高等于你的身高' (wǒ de shēnggāo děngyú nǐ de shēnggāo), meaning 'my height equals your height'. '等于' (děngyú) is used for direct equality of things, often measurements or numbers, not people.
考试考一百分等于非常棒。
This statement is generally true. Getting 100 points on an exam is considered excellent ('非常棒', fēicháng bàng). '等于' (děngyú) is used here to convey that achieving 100 points is equivalent to being very good.
What does one plus one equal?
Compare the apple and the oranges.
Whose salary is being compared?
Read this aloud:
五减三等于二。
Focus: 等于
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
一个小时等于六十分钟。
Focus: 等于
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
她的身高等于我的。
Focus: 等于
Tu as dit :
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This sentence means 'Five plus five equals ten.'
This sentence means 'One meter equals one hundred centimeters.'
This sentence means 'His height is equal to hers.'
Imagine you're explaining a complex mathematical equation to a friend. Use '等于' to describe the relationship between two parts of the equation, ensuring your explanation is clear and concise.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这个公式很简单，x 加 y 的结果等于 z。这意味着 x 和 y 相加的值和 z 的值是相同的。
You are making a comparison between two historical events that had similar impacts. Use '等于' to articulate how the impact of one event was equivalent to the other, focusing on the historical significance.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
从历史角度来看，这场革命对社会结构的影响，几乎等于一场彻底的社会转型。它的深远意义不容小觑。
Describe a scenario where someone's actions or behavior are equivalent to a certain outcome or consequence, even if it wasn't their direct intention. Use '等于' to make this equivalence clear.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他在会议上保持沉默，在某种程度上等于默认了那个提议。他的不表态间接导致了提议的通过。
根据这段话，作者认为浪费时间等于浪费金钱的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
在一个高度竞争的社会中，时间就是金钱。因此，浪费时间，在某种程度上就等于浪费金钱，因为你失去了可以利用这段时间创造价值的机会。
根据这段话，作者认为浪费时间等于浪费金钱的原因是什么？
文章明确指出“你失去了可以利用这段时间创造价值的机会”。
文章明确指出“你失去了可以利用这段时间创造价值的机会”。
这段话主要想表达什么？
Read this passage:
现代教育强调学生的全面发展，不仅仅是学习成绩。如果一个学生仅仅在学业上表现出色，但在社交能力或实践经验方面有所欠缺，那么他的教育就不算完整。在这种情况下，良好的考试成绩不等于全面的教育。
这段话主要想表达什么？
文章强调“如果一个学生仅仅在学业上表现出色，但在社交能力或实践经验方面有所欠缺，那么他的教育就不算完整”。
文章强调“如果一个学生仅仅在学业上表现出色，但在社交能力或实践经验方面有所欠缺，那么他的教育就不算完整”。
根据这段话，作者对“拥有昂贵的奢侈品等于拥有幸福”的看法是什么？
Read this passage:
许多人认为，拥有昂贵的奢侈品就等于拥有了幸福。然而，心理学研究表明，物质财富带来的快乐往往是短暂的，真正的幸福更多来源于人际关系、个人成长和有意义的经历。
根据这段话，作者对“拥有昂贵的奢侈品等于拥有幸福”的看法是什么？
文章指出“物质财富带来的快乐往往是短暂的，真正的幸福更多来源于人际关系、个人成长和有意义的经历”，明确反驳了奢侈品等于幸福的观点。
文章指出“物质财富带来的快乐往往是短暂的，真正的幸福更多来源于人际关系、个人成长和有意义的经历”，明确反驳了奢侈品等于幸福的观点。
Imagine you're explaining a complex mathematical concept to a friend. Write a short paragraph using '等于' to define or equate two abstract ideas. For instance, '成功等于…' (Success equals…)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在我看来，真正的幸福不等于物质财富的堆积，它更多地等于内心的平静与对他人的贡献。这种幸福感是无法用金钱衡量的。(In my opinion, true happiness does not equal the accumulation of material wealth; it's more about inner peace and contributing to others. This feeling of happiness cannot be measured by money.)
You are debating with someone about the future of technology. Write a sentence using '等于' to express a strong opinion about what a certain technological advancement represents or is equivalent to. For example, '人工智能的发展等于…' (The development of AI equals…)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我认为，盲目追求技术进步而忽视其潜在伦理问题，无异于（等于）为社会埋下隐患。这种发展模式最终会带来更多挑战而非解决方案。(I believe that blindly pursuing technological progress while ignoring its potential ethical issues is tantamount to (equals) burying hidden dangers for society. This development model will ultimately bring more challenges than solutions.)
Describe a personal challenge you've overcome. Use '等于' to describe the feeling of accomplishment or what that experience taught you. For example, '那次经历等于给我上了一课。' (That experience equaled a lesson for me.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
完成那项马拉松比赛对我而言，不仅仅是一次体能的考验，它更等于一次意志的洗礼。那种坚持不懈的精神，让我明白了很多道理。(Completing that marathon was not just a test of physical strength for me; it was even more equal to a baptism of will. That spirit of perseverance made me understand many principles.)
根据文章，哪种观点认为时间不仅仅是金钱？
Read this passage:
在当今社会，时间常常被视为最宝贵的资源。有人说，时间等于金钱，因为失去的时间意味着失去赚取财富的机会。但也有人认为，时间远不止于此，它等于生命的长度和深度，是无法用任何物质来衡量的。因此，如何有效地管理和利用时间，成为了一个永恒的话题。
根据文章，哪种观点认为时间不仅仅是金钱？
文章中明确提到“但也有人认为，时间远不止于此，它等于生命的长度和深度，是无法用任何物质来衡量的。”
文章中明确提到“但也有人认为，时间远不止于此，它等于生命的长度和深度，是无法用任何物质来衡量的。”
文章中第二种关于自由的观点是什么？
Read this passage:
许多哲学家都探讨过自由的定义。对一些人来说，自由等于没有任何束缚，可以随心所欲地做任何事。然而，另一些人则认为，真正的自由等于在理解并接受社会规则的前提下，做出负责任的选择。他们认为，没有规则的自由最终会导致混乱，并非真正的解放。
文章中第二种关于自由的观点是什么？
文章提到“另一些人则认为，真正的自由等于在理解并接受社会规则的前提下，做出负责任的选择。”
文章提到“另一些人则认为，真正的自由等于在理解并接受社会规则的前提下，做出负责任的选择。”
文章认为教育的核心意义是什么？
Read this passage:
教育的意义远不止于知识的传授。对于许多人而言，教育等于开启心智的钥匙，它能帮助个体形成独立思考的能力，并批判性地看待世界。它不仅仅是文凭的积累，更是人格塑造和精神升华的过程。因此，教育的投资，无论从个人还是社会层面来看，都是无比重要的。
文章认为教育的核心意义是什么？
文章指出“教育等于开启心智的钥匙，它能帮助个体形成独立思考的能力，并批判性地看待世界。”
文章指出“教育等于开启心智的钥匙，它能帮助个体形成独立思考的能力，并批判性地看待世界。”
This sentence asks if the answer to 'this question' ('这个问题') 'equals' ('等于') 'zero' ('零').
The phrase '不一定等于' means 'doesn't necessarily equal'. This sentence conveys that hard work ('努力工作') does not necessarily ('不一定') 'equal' ('等于') 'success' ('成功').
'对于他来说' means 'for him'. The sentence states that 'for him' ('对于他来说'), 'giving up' ('放弃') 'equals' ('等于') 'failure' ('失败').
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