数以亿计 (shù yǐ yì jì) — (idiom) numbering in the hundreds of millions;…

Definition

Idiom meaning a quantity so vast it is measured in hundreds of millions — emphasizes extremely large numbers, stronger than basic '很多' or '许多'.

idiom

numbering in the hundreds of millionsextremely numerous

数以亿计。
Quán qiú yǒu shù yǐ yì jì de rén kǒu měi tiān dōu yào miàn duì jī è wèn tí.
Hundreds of millions of people around the world face hunger every day.
数以亿计。
Zhè jiā gōng sī de zī chǎn yǐ chāo guò shù yǐ yì jì měi yuán.
This company's assets have already exceeded hundreds of millions of dollars.
数以亿计。
Měi nián shù yǐ yì jì tiáo duǎn xìn zài dà nián sān shí wǎn shàng bèi fā sòng.
Hundreds of millions of text messages are sent on New Year's Eve every year.

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.

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.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

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 億; 亿 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

意

Same sound today

The traditional form 億 pairs 人 (person) with 意 for its sound; the simplified 亿 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the original pieces.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 計; 计 is its simplified writing.

言十計

The traditional form 計 pairs 言 (say) with 十 (all). The simplified 计 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical shape.