What does "9.9 成新" mean?

 

Where did you see it, slowlikemolasses? Give us some context.

 

It literally means '99% new', which is a common way for Chinese dealers to describe their second-hand goods as almost brand new.

 

Thanks. Why is "9.9" used instead of "99?"

 

Because the measure word is '成' instead of 'percent'. In Chinese, 十成 means 100%, the maximum number is 10.

 

Tarlou you've missed the point. It's because 一成 means 10%, 两成 20%, 三成 30%...

 

The explanation of SuperXW is perfect. Personally, I will say "九九成新" instead of "九点九成新"。

 

What's the difference ?.....

I think "九成九" is better.
If it is 折, then it should be "九九折".

 

The different is, we DON'T simply use '成' instead of 'percent', we use 成 instead of "10 percents"!!

 

Well, my post was an answer to #4. ---Why is 9.9 used instead of 99? ---Because it is "9.9成新", the measure word is 成, not percent, so the number is 10 at most. This is what I meant....

 

The point is, you gotta tell a forigner that 一成 = 10%!!!
Sorry I was too bored... We shouldn't 纠结 on this detail.