正数 (zhèng shù) — positive number | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A positive number: any real number greater than zero. It pairs naturally with its opposite 负数 ('negative number'), which learners meet alongside it.

noun

positive number

Measure word · 个

Examples

正数。
zhèng shù Bǐ fù shù dà.
Positive numbers are larger than negative numbers.
正数？
Zhè ge shù shì zhèng shù hái shì fù shù?
Is this number positive or negative?
，正数。
Zài shù xué zhōng, zhèng shù dà yú líng.
In mathematics, positive numbers are greater than zero.

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.

正zhèngpositive

「正」positive and「数」number together name a positive 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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

丁dīng正zhèng

Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the 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.

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