Chinese word

小于

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiǎo yú

Meaning

  • verbbe less than

Example

这个数字小于那个数字。zhè ge shù zì xiǎo yú nà ge shù zì

This number is less than that number.

Illustration for 小于 (be less than)

More examples

这次测量结果小于平均值，需要复测。zhè cì cè liáng jié guǒ xiǎo yú píng jūn zhí xū yào fù cè

This measurement result is less than the average value, so it needs to be measured again.

Core concept

Shows that one quantity falls short of a second quantity on a scale.

Common phrases

  • 小于平均值xiǎo yú píng jūn zhí

    be less than the average value

  • 小于预期值xiǎo yú yù qī zhí

    be less than the expected value

Similar words

少于shǎo yú: Shows that a quantity or count is less than a stated reference quantity.
不如bù rú: Describes a state, quality, ability, or degree as falling short of a reference.
低于dī yú: Shows that a value, height, or level is below a stated reference.

Definition in Chinese

作动词，表示某者的数值或程度比另一者更小，可与具体数字、百分比等连用，常用于比较句，结构为“X小于Y”。zuò dòng cí biǎo shì mǒu zhě de shù zhí huò chéng dù bǐ lìng yì zhě gèng xiǎo kě yǔ jù tǐ shù zì bǎi fēn bǐ děng lián yòng cháng yòng yú bǐ jiào jù jié gòu wèi X xiǎo yú Y

Word origin

小于 (xiǎoyú, "be less than") is built from 小 (xiǎo, "small") and 于 (yú, "in relation to"), so a smaller amount is connected to the value used for comparison.

Usage tips

  • The value before the comparison verb is the one being described, while the value after it provides the reference point, so reversing the two sides changes the claim.

Opposites

  • 大于等于dà yú děng yúbe at leastverb

Related words

  • 小于等于xiǎo yú děng yúbe at mostverb

Word lists with this word