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, denoting number and the act of counting, derives from early conceptualizations of calculation, with its traditional form 數 structurally built from the phonetic component 婁 suggesting its sound and the semantic element 攵 implying an action, originally related to handling or tallying items. Over centuries, its core meaning evolved from the specific physical process of enumeration to encompass broader abstractions including numerical quantity, mathematical figures, and in certain classical contexts, notions of frequency or even destiny. The adapted form 数 preserves this fundamental composition with a modified phonetic part, reflecting incremental morphological adjustments that have consistently retained the character's primary semantic functions through its historical lineage.

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.