Usage of 百
The character 百 primarily means the number 100 and is used in counting, prices, quantities, and expressions involving the number one hundred or more. It can also be a surname, though this use is less common in daily conversation.
Common Collocations
- 一百 (yì bǎi): exactly one hundred
- 一百多 (yì bǎi duō): more than one hundred
- 百分之 (bǎi fēn zhī): percent, used in percentages
- 百姓 (bǎi xìng): common people, a historical term
Notes on Usage
When using 百 in numbers, it often appears with measure words (e.g., 个, 块) and quantifiers. 百 itself is a round number and often used to express approximate quantities when combined with 多 (more than).
百 as a surname is capitalized in English and used as a proper noun. It is not related to the numeric meaning in this context.
Avoid confusing 百 with similar-sounding words like 白 (bái, white) or 拜 (bài, to worship). The tone and context clarify meaning.
Register and Tone
百 is neutral in tone and appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. It is a basic number taught early in Chinese learning (HSK 2 level).
Summary
百 is a fundamental number character essential for expressing quantities around 100 and appears in many common phrases and compound words. Recognizing its numeric and surname uses helps avoid confusion.