Chinese word

未知数

Pronunciation

Pinyinwèi zhī shù

Meaning

  • noununknown

Example

他的能力对球队来说是个未知数。tā de néng lì duì qiú duì lái shuō shì gè wèi zhī shù

His ability is an unknown to the team.

Illustration for 未知数 (unknown)

More examples

为了稳定局势，需要尽快消除未知数。wèi le wěn dìng jú shì xū yào jǐn kuài xiāo chú wèi zhī shù

To stabilize the situation, the unknown needs to be eliminated as soon as possible.

Core concept

A value or factor whose final result is not yet fixed, leaving the outcome open.

Common phrases

  • 消除未知数xiāo chú wèi zhī shù

    eliminate the unknown

  • 成为未知数chéng wéi wèi zhī shù

    become an unknown

  • 仍然是个未知数réng rán shì gè wèi zhī shù

    remain an unknown

Similar words

变数biàn shù: An unpredictable factor whose effect comes from changing conditions or circumstances.
不确定因素bú què dìng yīn sù: A factor that may affect the result, but whose presence or impact is unclear.
不确定性bú què dìng xìng: A state or degree of uncertainty in an event, situation, or decision.
变量biàn liàng: A quantity or symbol whose value can change in mathematics or statistics.

Definition in Chinese

指不能预料或尚未确定的量或因素，既可用于数学中表示未知的数，也常用来形容人物或事件的结果难以预测的情况。zhǐ bù néng yù liào huò shàng wèi què dìng de liàng huò yīn sù jì kě yòng yú shù xué zhōng biǎo shì wèi zhī de shù yě cháng yòng lái xíng róng rén wù huò shì jiàn de jié guǒ nán yǐ yù cè de qíng kuàng

Word origin

未知数 (wèizhīshù, "unknown number") began as an algebraic term for a number whose value had not been found and later extended to uncertain people, events, and results.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this mathematical term can describe a person's effect on a team or an event's result, giving the statement a neutral, analytical tone.

Other meanings

  • unknown quantitynoun
  • uncertaintynoun

Opposites

  • 已知数yǐ zhī shùknown quantitynoun

Related words

  • 未知性wèi zhī xìnguncertaintynoun
  • 未知量wèi zhī liàngunknown quantitynoun

Word lists with this word