等于

• Pinyin: děng yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 等 (děng) — equal, same level; 于 (yú) — at, to, in

Meaning

To equal; to be equivalent to. Used in mathematics and figurative comparisons.

Most commonly used in mathematical expressions but also widely used figuratively to mean 'is essentially the same as' or 'amounts to.'

Examples

1. 二加三等于五。 Two plus three equals five.
2. 不努力等于放弃。 Not making an effort is the same as giving up.
3. 这个价格等于两杯咖啡的钱。 This price is equivalent to two cups of coffee.

Usage Guide

Context: mathematics, logic, figurative comparisons

Tone: factual

Do Say

• 一百厘米等于一米。(One hundred centimetres equals one metre.)
• 没有计划等于没有方向。(Having no plan equals having no direction.)

Don't Say

• 不要用'等于'来比较人 — 等于 is for quantities or abstract equivalences, not for comparing people. Say 他和他哥哥一样高 instead of 他等于他哥哥.

Origin & History

Compound of 等 (equal, same) and 于 (to, at). Together they express the concept of being equal to something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal