数量级 (shù liàng jí) — order of magnitude (factor of 10 in scale)

Definition

A math/science term: the scale of a number expressed as a power of 10 (e.g. 10² and 10³ differ by one 数量级). Used to compare sizes roughly without exact precision.

noun
order of magnitude (factor of 10 in scale)

Examples

  • 数量级。
    Zhè liǎng gè shù zì xiāng chā yí gè shù liàng jí.
    These two numbers differ by one order of magnitude.
  • 。
    Xīn jì shù de xiào lǜ tí gāo le jǐ gè shù liàng jí.
    The efficiency of the new technology improved by several orders of magnitude.
  • ，数量级。
    Zài wù lǐ xué zhōng, shù liàng jí de gài niàn fēi cháng zhòng yào.
    In physics, the concept of order of magnitude is very important.

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.

数量quantity
数shùnumber量liángquantity
联合Side by side
级jílevel

数量 gives number or quantity, and 级 is a level, so the term marks an order of magnitude.

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 →

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

  • 日日rìsun
  • 東東dōngbag; east

量 has 日 (sun) over 東 (bag; east). Some explanations suggest measuring under the sun or the sun rising in the east, but the exact origin is unclear.

Open 量 →

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 級; 级 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糹Written in full as糸mìthread
Sound part声符shēngfú
及
及jí級jí
Same sound today

The traditional form 級 has 糹 (thread) and 及 as a sound part; its original sense was a sequence related to silk. The simplified 级 is a later shorthand.

Open 级 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.