数 (shù) - number & to count

数Tone 4

shù ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

树檀

数 · shù

number;

to count;

to enumerate;

mathematics;

fate;

several;

frequently;

repeatedly

numberto countto enumerate

Usage highlights

numbermathematicsdataquantityto countseveral times

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 量— to measure (as opposed to count)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The number of students is large (学生人数).
  • She is good at mathematics (数学).
  • Please count the books (数书).
  • He comes here frequently (数次).

Collocations

  • number(数字)
  • mathematics(数学)
  • data(数据)
  • quantity(数量)
  • to count(数数)
  • several times(数次)

Idioms

  • Countless(数不胜数)
  • As plain as day(历历可数)
  • To enumerate one's crimes(数罪并罚)
  • Too numerous to count(不可胜数)
  • To count on one's fingers(屈指可数)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, numbers were associated with fate and divination.
  • The concept of 'number' was integral to ancient Chinese mathematics and astronomy.
  • Numbers hold symbolic meanings in Chinese culture, e.g., certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky.

FAQ