奇数 (jī shù) — odd number | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

odd number

Examples

奇数。
Zhè ge shù zì shì jī shù.
This number is an odd number.
奇数。
jī shù Hé ǒu shù dōu shì zhěng shù.
Odd numbers and even numbers are both integers.
，奇数。
Zài shù xué kè shàng, wǒ men xué xí le jī shù de xìng zhì.
In math class, we learned the properties of odd numbers.

Origin

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.

奇 gives the idea of odd, and 数 gives number, together meaning odd 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.

大可奇

Meaning part形符xíngfú

大大dàbig; great

Sound part声符shēngfú

可

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

奇 pairs 大 (big; great) with 可, a sound part.

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.

Appears in

Math Numbers & Counting

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