偶数 (ǒu shù) — even number | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

even number

2、4、6偶数。
2, 4, 6 Dōu shì ǒu shù.
2, 4, and 6 are all even numbers.
偶数？
Nǐ néng jǔ chū yí gè ǒu shù de lì zi ma?
Can you give an example of an even number?
偶数。
Zhè ge shù liè zhōng zhǐ yǒu ǒu shù.
This sequence contains only even numbers.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

偶ǒueven/paired

偶 means paired or even and 数 is number, naming an even number.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

亻禺偶

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénperson

Sound part声符shēngfú

禺

禺yú偶ǒu

Same sound today

偶 pairs 亻 (person) with 禺 for the sound. The evidence describes it as a statue of a person, an idol.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 數; 数 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

攴攴pū

Sound part声符shēngfú

婁

婁lóu數shù(r)

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 數 pairs 攴, the meaning part, with 婁, the sound part; the simplified 数 is a shorthand.

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