人口数 (rén kǒu shù) — population (size, number of people)

Definition

noun

population (size, number of people)

人口数。
Zhè ge guó jiā de rén kǒu shù zhèng zài kuài sù zēng zhǎng.
The population of this country is growing rapidly.
，人口数。
Gēn jù zuì xīn tǒng jì, quán shì jiè rén kǒu shù yǐ jīng chāo guò bā shí yì.
According to the latest statistics, the world's population has exceeded 8 billion.
人口数。
rén kǒu shù De biàn huà duì jīng jì fā zhǎn yǒu zhòng yào yǐng xiǎng.
Changes in population have an important impact on economic development.

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.

人口population

偏正Modifier + head

人口数 uses 数, 'number', for 人口, 'people's mouths', meaning population size.

Characters in this word

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

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

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

The form 口 looks like an open mouth.

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.