Translation and Meaning of: 倍 - bai

The Japanese word 「倍」 (bai) is used to express the idea of multiplication or something that is two or more times greater. This concept is often employed to indicate double, triple, and so on, in quantitative terms. In daily life, it is common to hear this expression when describing measurements, price increases, distances, and other numerical comparisons.

The etymology of the kanji 「倍」 traces back to classical Chinese, where it had the same meaning of multiplying or increasing several times. The kanji is composed of two main radicals: 「亻」 (ninben), which is a variation of 「人」 meaning "person," and 「咅」 (hou), a phonetic component that is not generally found in many kanjis alone in modern Japanese. The juxtaposition of these parts results in a more complex meaning than just a simple multiplication, insinuating an increase in the attributed measure.

In addition to everyday use in measurements, prices, and distances, 「倍」 is also frequently used in scientific and mathematical contexts to denote multipliers in equations and formulas. Over time, this word has remained quite consistent in its meaning, precisely and clearly reflecting quantitative changes. The use of this word, therefore, transcends the language in which it is used, becoming an almost universal expression for concepts of multiplication and increase.

Curiously, while "bai" is the common term in modern Japanese for doubling or tripling, there are other variations and expressions that may derive from 「倍」, such as 「倍増」 (baizou), which means "significant increase" or "large-scale multiplication." This compound term continues to emphasize the importance and broad applicability of the concept of multiplication in the Japanese language, highlighting its role in a wide spectrum of situations, from the economy to everyday issues.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 二倍 (Nibai) - Two times
• 三倍 (Sanbai) - Three times
• 四倍 (Yonbai) - Four times
• 五倍 (Gobai) - Five times
• 六倍 (Rokubai) - Six times
• 七倍 (Nanbai) - Seven times
• 八倍 (Hachibai) - Eight times
• 九倍 (Kyubai) - Nine times
• 十倍 ( Jubai) - Ten times

倍

Romaji: bai
Kana: ばい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: twice; times; -fold; to bend; be bent; increase

Meaning in English: twice;times;-fold;double;be doubled;increase

Definition: The total number multiplied by two numbers or quantities.

Example Sentences - (倍) bai

See below some example sentences:

倍率を調整してください。

Bairitsu wo chousei shite kudasai

Please adjust the multiplication rate.

Adjust the magnification.

• 倍率 (ba iritsu) - means "rate of increase" or "magnification" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Object particle in Japanese.
• 調整 (chousei) - means "adjust" or "regular" in Japanese.
• して (shite) - form of the verb "suru" (to do) in Japanese.
• ください (kudasai) - polite expression meaning "please" or "do this for me" in Japanese.
• . (ponto) - punctuation mark used to end a sentence in English.

日本の首相は安倍晋三です。

O primeiro

ministro do Japão é Shinzo Abe

O primeiro -ministro japonês é Shinzo Abe.

• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 首相 - primeiro-ministro
• は - Topic particle
• 安倍晋三 - Shinzo Abe (nome do atual primeiro-ministro japonês)
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense