凑数 (còu shǔ) — to make up a number or amount (often with a filler or substandard item); to serve as a stopgap or placeholder

Definition

A colloquial verb meaning to fill a quota or stand in as a placeholder — usually implies the item or person is subpar, just there to reach the required number. Often used with a self-deprecating tone ("just here to make up the numbers").

verb
to make up a number or amount (often with a filler or substandard item)to serve as a stopgap or placeholder

Examples

  • 凑数，。
    Zhè xiē jiù shè bèi zhǐ shì yòng lái còu shǔ de, zhì liàng bú tài hǎo.
    These old pieces of equipment are just used to make up the numbers; the quality isn't very good.
  • ，。
    Wǒ men rén shù bú gòu, xiān zhǎo liǎng gè rén còu gè shù ba.
    We don't have enough people; let's find two people to make up the numbers for now.
  • 凑数。
    Tā jué de zì jǐ zài zhè ge tuán duì lǐ zhǐ shì còu shǔ de.
    He feels he's just a filler in this team.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

凑còugather
数shùnumber

To “gather” a “number” means filling a required count.

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 湊; 凑 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
氵Written in full as水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
奏
奏zòu湊còu
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 湊 uses 氵 (water) as the meaning element and 奏 as the sound element. The simplified 凑 is a later shorthand.

Open 凑 →

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 →

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