Definitions

shù (noun) number; quantity; figure
shǔ (verb) to count; to calculate

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "数" derives from its traditional form "數", which combines the phonetic component "婁", conveying a sense of repetition or bundling, with the semantic component "攴", indicating an action such as striking or, by extension, counting, thus originally denoting the act of calculation or enumeration. In the simplified form, "数" maintains the action-oriented "攵", a variant of "攴", while the "婁" component is simplified to "娄", itself composed of "米" and "女". Initially centered on the meaning of to count, the character's application expanded over centuries to encompass noun senses like number and quantity, as well as adverbial uses implying frequency, and later developed more abstract mathematical meanings such as numerical value and proportion.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢学课。

Wǒ xǐhuān shùxué kè.

I like math class.

了三个苹果。

Tā shǔle sān gè píngguǒ.

He counted three apples.

字技术发展很快。

Shùzì jìshù fāzhǎn hěn kuài.

Digital technology develops quickly.

我们需要更多据。

Wǒmen xūyào gèng duō shùjù.

We need more data.

量和质量都重要。

Shùliàng hé zhìliàng dōu zhòngyào.

Quantity and quality are both important.

他擅长学计算。

Tā shàncháng shùxué jìsuàn.

He is good at mathematical calculations.

这个据需要仔细分析。

Zhège shùjù xūyào zǐxì fēnxī.

This data needs careful analysis.

统计字显示经济增长。

Tǒngjì shùzì xiǎnshì jīngjì zēngzhǎng.

Statistical figures show economic growth.