十有八九
十有八九 (shí yǒu bā jiǔ) literally means “ten has eight nine” and expresses “very high probability at about 80-90 percent”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: shi you ba jiu, shi you ba jiu,十有八九 meaning, 十有八九 in english
Very high probability at about 80-90 percent
Pronunciation: shí yǒu bā jiǔ Literal meaning: Ten has eight nine
Origin & Usage
Song Dynasty scholars, debating the nature of probability, gave us this precise way of expressing likelihood - that out of ten cases (十), eight or nine (八九) will occur as expected. The phrase offered a mathematical precision between absolute certainty and mere possibility. Ming Dynasty merchants adopted it for practical probability assessments. Modern usage spans from weather forecasting to business planning, offering a specific confidence level rather than vague assurance.
When to Use
Situation: The meteorologist predicted that rain was very likely for the weekend festival
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Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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恰到好处
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Just right; perfectly appropriate
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shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 十有八九 mean in English?
十有八九 (shí yǒu bā jiǔ) literally translates to “Ten has eight nine” and is used to express “Very high probability at about 80-90 percent”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 十有八九 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving very high probability at about 80-90 percent.
What is the pinyin for 十有八九?
The pinyin pronunciation for 十有八九 is “shí yǒu bā jiǔ”.