Definitions

bèi (numeral) times; fold (multiplier)
bèi (verb) to multiply; to increase

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "倍" is structured with the human radical "亻" on the left and the phonetic component "咅" on the right, a composition that points to its early etymological link to human actions involving increase or repetition. In its historical development, the character originally conveyed the sense of doubling or multiplying, as evidenced in classical Chinese where it denoted a twofold increase or the act of repeating. Over centuries, its semantic range expanded to encompass the general concept of a multiple or fold, such as in mathematical expressions indicating times, while also carrying a derived meaning of turning against or betraying, which arose from the notion of reversing or doubling back upon an obligation. The character's form has not undergone substantial alteration, maintaining the same structural elements throughout its use.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的工资加了。

Wǒ de gōngzī jiā bèi le.

My salary has doubled.

他的速度是我的两

Tā de sùdù shì wǒ de liǎng bèi.

His speed is twice mine.

我们需要加努力。

Wǒmen xūyào jiā bèi nǔlì.

We need to redouble our efforts.

这本书的价格是那本书的两

Zhè běn shū de jiàgé shì nà běn shū de liǎng bèi.

The price of this book is twice that of that book.

今年的产量比去年增加了一

Jīnnián de chǎnliàng bǐ qùnián zēngjiā le yī bèi.

This year's output has increased by one times compared to last year.

通过新技术,效率得以成提升。

Tōngguò xīn jìshù, xiàolǜ déyǐ chéng bèi tíshēng.

Through new technology, efficiency has been multiplied.

在市场需求推动下,公司规模扩大了数

Zài shìchǎng xūqiú tuīdòng xià, gōngsī guīmó kuòdà le shù bèi.

Driven by market demand, the company's scale has expanded several times.

尽管投资增加了数,但利润却没有相应增长。

Jǐnguǎn tóuzī zēngjiā le shù bèi, dàn lìrùn què méiyǒu xiāngyìng zēngzhǎng.

Although the investment increased several times, the profit did not grow correspondingly.