děngyú: 等于 - To Equal, Is Equal To, Amounts To

• Keywords: 等于, dengyu, Chinese for equal, what does dengyu mean, how to use dengyu, Chinese verb for equals, to be equal to in Chinese, a mounts to in Chinese, Chinese math words, 等于 vs 是, 等于 vs 相当于.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 等于 (děngyú), which means “to equal” or “amounts to.” This comprehensive guide explains how 等于 is used not just in mathematics, but to express logical equivalence between actions, concepts, and consequences in daily conversation. Discover the difference between 等于 (děngyú) and similar words like 是 (shì) and 相当于 (xiāngdāng yú), and master its usage with practical examples.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): děngyú
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To be equal to; to amount to; to be the same as.
• In a Nutshell: 等于 (děngyú) is the “=” sign in spoken Chinese. It's used to state that two things are identical in value, quantity, function, or logical outcome. While its most direct use is in math, it's frequently used metaphorically to say “doing A is the same as doing B.”

• 等 (děng): The original pictograph showed bamboo slips bound together, implying they were of equal length. This character's core meaning is “equal,” “rank,” or “grade.” It also commonly means “to wait.”
• 于 (yú): A versatile classical preposition that can mean “at,” “in,” “to,” or “than.” In this context, it acts like the English word “to,” connecting the two things being equated.
• Together, 等于 (děngyú) literally translates to “equal to,” creating a clear and direct statement of equivalence.

While 等于 (děngyú) doesn't carry the deep cultural weight of terms like 关系 (guānxi), its usage reveals a preference for clear, logical connections in expression. In English, we might say, “Silence is consent,” which is a statement of identity (Silence = a form of consent). In Chinese, a common way to express this is 沉默就等于同意 (Chénmò jiù děngyú tóngyì), which translates to “Silence then equals agreement.” Using 等于 frames the relationship not as one of identity, but as one of logical consequence: the action of being silent produces a result that is equivalent to agreeing. This tendency to use 等于 for cause-and-effect and action-and-consequence statements makes a logical argument feel almost mathematical and undeniable. It's a subtle but common rhetorical tool that emphasizes a direct, unambiguous link between two different things.

等于 (děngyú) is a high-frequency word used in various contexts, from formal to informal.

• Mathematical and Quantitative Contexts: This is its most straightforward use. It's the standard word for “equals” in any calculation.
  • e.g., “Two plus two equals four.”
• Logical Equivalence: This is extremely common in daily conversation. It's used to argue that one action, situation, or choice has the same outcome or meaning as another.
  • e.g., “Giving up now is the same as admitting defeat.”
• As an Explanatory Phrase (等于说): The phrase 等于说 (děngyú shuō) means “which is to say,” “in other words,” or “that's like saying.” It's used to rephrase or clarify a point.
  • e.g., “He didn't sign the contract. In other words, the deal is off.”

Its connotation is neutral, and its formality depends entirely on the context.

• Example 1:
  • 二加二等于四。
  • Pinyin: Èr jiā èr děngyú sì.
  • English: Two plus two equals four.
  • Analysis: The most basic mathematical use of the term.
• Example 2:
  • 在我看来，浪费时间就等于浪费生命。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒ kànlái, làngfèi shíjiān jiù děngyú làngfèi shēngmìng.
  • English: In my opinion, wasting time is equivalent to wasting life.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using 等于 to create a strong, metaphorical equivalence between two abstract concepts.
• Example 3:
  • 你这样做等于是帮倒忙。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhèyàng zuò děngyú shì bāng dào máng.
  • English: Doing it this way amounts to being counterproductive (lit: “helping backwards”).
  • Analysis: Here, 等于 links an action (你这样做) to its unintended, negative consequence (帮倒忙). The 是 (shì) is often added for emphasis but can be omitted.
• Example 4:
  • 自由并不等于随心所欲。
  • Pinyin: Zìyóu bìng bù děngyú suíxīnsuǒyù.
  • English: Freedom does not equal doing whatever you want.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative form, 不等于 (bù děngyú), used to correct a common misconception by breaking a false equivalence.
• Example 5:
  • 他的沉默是不是等于默认了？
  • Pinyin: Tā de chénmò shì bu shì děngyú mòrèn le?
  • English: Does his silence amount to a tacit admission?
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to use 等于 in a question, asking if one thing can be interpreted as being equivalent to another.
• Example 6:
  • 老板没回邮件，等于说他拒绝了我们的提议。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn méi huí yóujiàn, děngyú shuō tā jùjué le wǒmen de tíyì.
  • English: The boss didn't reply to the email, which is to say he rejected our proposal.
  • Analysis: This showcases the useful phrase 等于说 (děngyú shuō) for rephrasing or drawing a conclusion from a situation.
• Example 7:
  • 对于他来说，工作等于一切。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú tā láishuō, gōngzuò děngyú yíqiè.
  • English: For him, work is equal to everything.
  • Analysis: This is a powerful, slightly dramatic statement showing total equivalence between one's work and one's entire life.
• Example 8:
  • 放弃这次机会等于放弃了你的未来。
  • Pinyin: Fàngqì zhè cì jīhuì děngyú fàngqì le nǐ de wèilái.
  • English: Giving up this opportunity is the same as giving up your future.
  • Analysis: A common rhetorical structure used to emphasize the high stakes of a decision.
• Example 9:
  • 按照目前的汇率，一百美元等于七百多人民币。
  • Pinyin: Ànzhào mùqián de huìlǜ, yìbǎi Měiyuán děngyú qībǎi duō Rénmínbì.
  • English: According to the current exchange rate, one hundred US dollars equals more than seven hundred RMB.
  • Analysis: A practical example of using 等于 for comparing quantities and values, in this case, currency.
• Example 10:
  • 违反这个规定就等于是违反了合同。
  • Pinyin: Wéifǎn zhège guīdìng jiù děngyú shì wéifǎn le hétong.
  • English: Violating this rule is equivalent to breaching the contract.
  • Analysis: A more formal, almost legalistic use of 等于 to show that two different actions have the same legal consequence.

• 等于 (děngyú) vs. 是 (shì): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 是 (shì) indicates identity: A is B. 他是学生 (Tā shì xuéshēng) - He is a student.
  • 等于 (děngyú) indicates equivalence: A has the same value/effect as B. 他的年龄等于我的 (Tā de niánlíng děngyú wǒ de) - His age is equal to mine.
  • Mistake: Saying 他等于学生 (Tā děngyú xuéshēng) is incorrect. It implies “the person 'he' has the same value as a student,” which is nonsensical.
• 等于 (děngyú) vs. 像 (xiàng):
  • 像 (xiàng) means similarity (“is like,” “resembles”). 他像他爸爸 (Tā xiàng tā bàba) - He is like his dad.
  • 等于 (děngyú) implies the two things are interchangeable or have the same result, which is much stronger than just being similar.
• 等于 (děngyú) vs. 相当于 (xiāngdāng yú):
  • 等于 (děngyú) is often for precise, direct, or mathematical equality.
  • 相当于 (xiāngdāng yú) means “is equivalent to” or “is tantamount to.” It is often used for functional or analogical comparisons that aren't mathematically precise. It's a slightly “softer” or more formal way to draw an equivalence.
  • e.g., 这个职位相当于部门经理 (Zhège zhíwèi xiāngdāng yú bùmén jīnglǐ) - This position is equivalent to a department manager. Using 等于 here would sound a bit too rigid.

• 等于说 (děngyú shuō) - “That is to say,” “in other words.” Used to clarify or rephrase a statement.
• 相当于 (xiāngdāng yú) - “Is equivalent to,” “tantamount to.” A slightly more formal or less precise synonym for drawing comparisons.
• 相等 (xiāngděng) - “To be equal” (often used as an adjective). Focuses purely on the state of being equal, especially in quantity or size. 他们的身高相等 (Tāmen de shēngāo xiāngděng) - Their heights are equal.
• 是 (shì) - “To be.” Expresses identity, not equivalence.
• 就是 (jiùshì) - “Is precisely,” “that is.” Can sometimes overlap with 等于 in meaning but often carries a stronger tone of confirmation or emphasis.
• 如同 (rútóng) - “Just like,” “as if.” A more literary or formal term for making a comparison, similar to 像.
• 不等于 (bù děngyú) - “Does not equal.” The direct antonym.
• 价值 (jiàzhí) - “Value,” “worth.” The concept that is often being equated when using 等于.