平均数 (píng jūn shù) — average; mean

Definition

noun

averagemean

平均数85。
Zhè cì kǎo shì de quán bān píng jūn shù shì 85 fēn.
The class average for this exam is 85 points.
平均数，。
Jì suàn yì zǔ shù jù de píng jūn shù, xū yào xiān qiú hé zài chú yǐ gè shù.
To calculate the average of a set of data, you first need to sum them and then divide by the count.
平均数。
Tā de yuè shōu rù gāo yú quán guó píng jūn shù.
His monthly income is above the national average.

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.

平均equal

联合Side by side

平 and 均 both mean equal, and 数 is number, giving an equalized number.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The origin is uncertain. One explanation combines 八 (division) and 亏 (exhaled air) to show smooth speech.

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

土匀均

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔearth

Sound part声符shēngfú

匀

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

均 pairs 土 (earth) with 匀, which gives it its sound.

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.