Chinese word

数

Pronunciation

Pinyinshù

Meaning

  • nounnumber

Example

这个数是多少？zhè ge shù shì duō shǎo

What is this number?

Illustration for 数 (number)

More examples

请把这个数字写下来。qǐng bǎ zhè ge shù zì xiě xià lái

Please write down this digit.

Core concept

A mental measure that shows how many things there are or where one item stands in an order.

Common phrases

  • 数字shù zì

    digit

  • 数学shù xué

    mathematics

Similar words

数字shù zì: A written symbol or group of symbols used to show a number.
数量shù liàng: The amount or number of things or events.
号码hào mǎ: A number assigned to identify something or show its place in a sequence.

Definition in Chinese

表示数量或顺序的抽象概念，用来指具体的数字或量值。biǎo shì shù liàng huò shùn xù de chōu xiàng gài niàn yòng lái zhǐ jù tǐ de shù zì huò liàng zhí

Word origin

The noun sense developed from the act of counting to the result of counting, which explains its use for a number or quantity.

Usage tips

  • 数 (shù, "number") changes to the third tone, shǔ, when it is used as the verb "to count," so the tone helps separate the two meanings.

Other meanings

  • quantitynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word