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数字化 (shù zì huà) — to digitize

Definition

数字化 means to convert something (records, photos, processes) into a digital format. The -化 suffix turns 数字 ('number / digital') into a verb meaning 'to digitize'.

verb
to digitize

Examples

  • 数字化。
    Tú shū guǎn zhèng zài bǎ lǎo zhào piàn shù zì huà.
    The library is digitizing old photos.
  • 数字化。
    Wǒ men gōng sī de liú chéng yǐ jīng quán bù shù zì huà le.
    Our company's processes have all been digitized.
  • 数字化。
    Tā men jì huà shù zì huà suǒ yǒu kè hù zī liào.
    They plan to digitize all customer data.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

数字number
数shùnumber字zìcharacter
偏正Modifier + head
化huàturn into

数字 (numbers) plus 化 (turn into) means to make something into numbers.

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.

Open 数 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
子
子zǐ字zì
Same sound today

字 pairs 宀 (roof) with 子 (child); 子 gives the sound, while 宀 relates to the meaning.

Open 字 →

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

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6Computers & InternetTechnology & Engineering

Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.