亿 = 100,000,000 (one hundred million), so 五亿 = 500 million, NOT 5 billion. English speakers often slip here: a 'billion' (10^9) in Chinese is 十亿 (ten 亿). Quick check: 万 (10^4) → 亿 (10^8) → 万亿 / 兆 (10^12).
culture
Five hundred million is a common round figure in box-office reporting and tech valuations — a Chinese blockbuster crossing 五亿票房 is a solid hit; passing 十亿 marks the next league.
