Multiplication is a fundamental math operation that combines equal groups to find a total. In English, there are specific vocabulary words and phrases to describe multiplication concepts, steps, and problem-solving strategies.
Examples
These examples show how multiplication vocabulary is used in sentences, helping you see the words in context. Each sentence highlights a key term in bold.
. Key Terms
The most important words used to talk about multiplication, including numbers, operations, and results.
| English | Definition | English Example | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| multiply (v.) | To add a number to itself a certain number of times | Multiply 3 by 4 to get 12. | multiplicar | يضرب | 乘 |
| product (n.) | The result of multiplying two numbers | The product of 5 and 6 is 30. | producto | حاصل الضرب | 积 |
| factor (n.) | A number that is multiplied by another | and 7 are factors in the multiplication. | factor | عامل | 因数 |
| times (prep.) | Used to indicate multiplication | times 3 equals 24. | por | ضرب | 乘以 |
| multiply ... by ... | To perform multiplication | Multiply 9 by 2. | multiplicar ... por ... | اضرب ... في ... | 乘以… |
| equation (n.) | A math statement with numbers and symbols | Write the multiplication equation: 4 × 5 = 20. | ecuación | معادلة | 方程式 |
| equal sign (=) | Symbol showing two things are equal | × 3 = 21 uses an equal sign. | signo igual | علامة يساوي | 等于号 |
| times table | A chart of multiplication facts | Learn the 6 times table. | tabla de multiplicar | جدول الضرب | 乘法表 |
| repeated addition | Adding the same number multiple times | × 3 is repeated addition: 4 + 4 + 4. | suma repetida | جمع متكرر | 重复加法 |
| multiple (n.) | A number that can be divided by another without remainder | is a multiple of 5. | múltiplo | مضاعف | 倍数 |
. Word Problem Vocabulary
Words and phrases that help you understand and solve multiplication word problems.
| English | Definition | English Example | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| total (n.) | The final amount after adding or multiplying | Find the total number of apples. | total | المجموع | 总数 |
| groups (n.) | Sets of items counted in multiplication | There are 5 groups of 4 pencils. | grupos | مجموعات | 组 |
| each (pron.) | Every one in a group | Each box has 6 cookies. | cada | كل | 每个 |
| altogether (adv.) | In total | There are 24 cookies altogether. | en total | في المجمل | 一共 |
| how many ...? | A question asking for a number | How many crayons are in 3 boxes? | ¿cuántos ...? | كم عدد ...؟ | 多少 …？ |
| more (adj.) | Larger in number | There are 3 more chairs than tables. | más | أكثر | 更多 |
| equal groups | Groups with the same number of items | Divide the toys into equal groups. | grupos iguales | مجموعات متساوية | 平等组 |
| multiply to find | To use multiplication to get an answer | Multiply to find the total cost. | multiplicar para encontrar | اضرب لإيجاد | 乘法求得 |
| solution (n.) | The answer to a problem | Write the solution clearly. | solución | حل | 解决方案 |
| problem (n.) | A question needing a math answer | Solve the multiplication problem. | problema | مسألة | 问题 |
. Step-by-Step Instructions
Common phrases used to explain how to perform multiplication.
| English | Definition | English Example | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| first, ... | Beginning step | First, write the numbers. | primero, ... | أولاً، ... | 首先，... |
| then, ... | Next step | Then, multiply the factors. | luego, ... | ثم، ... | 然后，... |
| multiply the digits | To multiply individual numbers | Multiply the digits in each place. | multiplica los dígitos | اضرب الأرقام | 乘各位数字 |
| carry over | To move a digit to the next place value | Carry over 1 to the tens place. | llevar | ترحيل | 进位 |
| write the product | To record the multiplication result | Write the product below the line. | escribe el producto | اكتب الناتج | 写下积 |
| check your work | To review the answer | Check your work for mistakes. | revisa tu trabajo | راجع عملك | 检查你的答案 |
| use the times table | To refer to multiplication facts | Use the times table to multiply. | usa la tabla de multiplicar | استخدم جدول الضرب | 使用乘法表 |
| multiply step-by-step | To do multiplication one part at a time | Multiply step-by-step for accuracy. | multiplica paso a paso | اضرب خطوة بخطوة | 分步乘法 |
| repeat for each digit | To do multiplication for all digits | Repeat for each digit in the number. | repite para cada dígito | كرر لكل رقم | 对每位数字重复 |
| add the results | To sum partial products | Add the results to get the final answer. | suma los resultados | اجمع النتائج | 把结果相加 |
What does the phrase 'carry over' mean in multiplication?
to move a digit to the next place value
'Carry over' means moving a digit to the next place value during multiplication or addition.
. Verbs and Actions
Common action words used when performing or describing multiplication.
| English | Definition | English Example | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| multiply | To calculate the product of two numbers | Multiply 7 by 8. | multiplicar | يضرب | 乘 |
| calculate | To find an answer using math | Calculate the total cost. | calcular | يحسب | 计算 |
| solve | To find the answer to a problem | Solve the multiplication problem. | resolver | يحل | 解决 |
| write | To put numbers or answers on paper | Write the equation. | escribir | يكتب | 写 |
| count | To find the number by adding or multiplying | Count the total items. | contar | يعد | 数数 |
| repeat | To do something again | Repeat the multiplication for all digits. | repetir | يكرر | 重复 |
| add | To combine numbers | Add the partial products. | sumar | يضيف | 加 |
| carry | To move a digit to the next place value | Carry 1 to the next column. | llevar | يرحل | 进位 |
| check | To review for errors | Check your answer. | revisar | يراجع | 检查 |
| divide | To split into parts (often used after multiplication) | Divide the result by 2 if needed. | dividir | يقسم | 除 |
If you 'repeat' the multiplication, what do you do?
do it again
'Repeat' means to do the multiplication again.
. Math Symbols
Symbols commonly used in multiplication and math problems.
| English | Symbol | English Example | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| multiplication sign | × or | × 7 = 42 | signo de multiplicar | علامة الضرب | 乘号 |
| equal sign | = | × 5 = 25 | signo igual | علامة يساوي | 等于号 |
| number | –9 | Multiply 3 by 4. | número | رقم | 数字 |
| parentheses | ( ) | (3 + 2) × | paréntesis | أقواس | 括号 |
| plus sign | + | + 3 = 5 | signo más | علامة زائد | 加号 |
| minus sign | − | − 2 = 3 | signo menos | علامة ناقص | 减号 |
| division sign | ÷ or / | ÷ 4 = 3 | signo de división | علامة القسمة | 除号 |
| decimal point | . | .5 × 2 = 7 | punto decimal | فاصلة عشرية | 小数点 |
| comma | , | ,000 × 2 = 2,000 | coma | فاصلة | 逗号 |
| exponent | ^ or superscript | ^3 = 8 (2 cubed) | exponente | أس | 指数 |
. Common Phrases
Useful phrases for talking about multiplication in English.
| English | Definition | English Example | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How many times ...? | Asking about the number of repetitions | How many times do you multiply 4? | ¿Cuántas veces ...? | كم مرة ...؟ | 多少次…？ |
| Multiply ... by ... | Instruction to multiply numbers | Multiply 7 by 3. | Multiplica ... por ... | اضرب ... في ... | 乘以… |
| What is the product of ... ? | Asking for the multiplication result | What is the product of 6 and 9? | ¿Cuál es el producto de ... ? | ما حاصل ضرب ... ؟ | …的积是多少？ |
| Find the total | Calculate the sum or product | Find the total number of items. | Encuentra el total | أوجد المجموع | 找出总数 |
| Solve the problem | Find the answer | Solve the problem on page 5. | Resuelve el problema | حل المسألة | 解决问题 |
| Multiply step by step | Do multiplication in stages | Multiply step by step for accuracy. | Multiplica paso a paso | اضرب خطوة بخطوة | 分步乘法 |
| Use the times table | Refer to multiplication facts | Use the times table to help. | Usa la tabla de multiplicar | استخدم جدول الضرب | 使用乘法表 |
| Write the equation | Put the math sentence on paper | Write the equation for the problem. | Escribe la ecuación | اكتب المعادلة | 写出方程 |
| Check your answer | Review the solution | Check your answer carefully. | Revisa tu respuesta | راجع إجابتك | 检查你的答案 |
| Repeat for each digit | Multiply all parts | Repeat for each digit in the number. | Repite para cada dígito | كرر لكل رقم | 对每位数字重复 |
Conclusion
Multiplication vocabulary includes terms for numbers, actions, problem-solving, and common phrases. Learning these words helps you understand instructions and explain your work in English.
Remember, practice using this vocabulary in simple sentences to build your confidence and fluency in talking about multiplication.
Flashcards (1 of 60)
- Definition: To add a number to itself a certain number of times
- Arabic: يضرب
- Chinese: 乘
- English: multiply (v.)
- English Example: Multiply 3 by 4 to get 12.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
