倍率(ばいりつ)

ばいりつ
noun
magnification; competitive ratio
1. magnification; zoom level
The degree to which an optical device enlarges an image. Expressed as a multiple (e.g., 10倍(ばい)).
この望遠鏡(ぼうえんきょう)の倍率(ばいりつ)は何倍(なんばい)ですか。
What is the magnification of this telescope?
倍率(ばいりつ)を上(あ)げると画像(がぞう)がぼやける。
When you increase the magnification, the image becomes blurry.
高(たか)倍率(ばいりつ)の顕微鏡(けんびきょう)で細胞(さいぼう)を観察(かんさつ)した。
I observed cells with a high-magnification microscope.
2. competitive ratio; application-to-acceptance ratio
The ratio of applicants to available positions, used for exams, jobs, and other competitive selections. A higher number means stiffer competition.
今年(ことし)の入試(にゅうし)の倍率(ばいりつ)は3倍(ばい)だった。
The competitive ratio for this year's entrance exam was three to one.
人気(にんき)企業(きぎょう)は採用(さいよう)倍率(ばいりつ)が非常(ひじょう)に高(たか)い。
Popular companies have extremely high application-to-hire ratios.
倍率(ばいりつ)が10倍(ばい)を超(こ)える学校(がっこう)もある。
Some schools have competitive ratios exceeding ten to one.

USAGE:
In everyday Japanese, 倍率(ばいりつ) appears frequently in two very different contexts: optics and competition. Context makes the meaning clear.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 倍率(ばいりつ)が高(たか)い (high magnification; high competition)
  • 倍率(ばいりつ)を上(あ)げる (to increase magnification)
  • 入試(にゅうし)の倍率(ばいりつ) (entrance exam competitive ratio)
  • 有効(ゆうこう)倍率(ばいりつ) (job openings-to-applicants ratio)

WORD FORMATION:
倍(ばい) (times, fold) + 率(りつ) (rate, ratio). The 率(りつ) suffix is productive in forming ratio/rate words: 確率(かくりつ) (probability), 利率(りりつ) (interest rate).

general
Added 2026.3.5 15:25
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