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Expressing "equal to" or "basically means" with 等于 (děngyú)
HSK 4Structure
Subject + 等于 + Noun/Clause
Explanation
The word 等于 (děngyú) literally means "equal to" and is used to equate two things or situations. Beyond mathematics, it is commonly used figuratively to say that one action or situation is essentially the same as another. For example, you can use 等于 to argue that doing nothing is basically the same as giving up.
Examples
你不努力，等于放弃了这次机会。
Nǐ bù nǔlì, děngyú fàngqì le zhè cì jīhuì.
If you don't work hard, it's the same as giving up this opportunity.
每天浪费两小时，等于一年浪费了一个月。
Měitiān làngfèi liǎng xiǎoshí, děngyú yī nián làngfèi le yī gè yuè.
Wasting two hours every day is equivalent to wasting a month in a year.
不回复她的消息，等于告诉她你不在乎。
Bù huífù tā de xiāoxi, děngyú gàosu tā nǐ bù zàihu.
Not replying to her messages is the same as telling her you don't care.