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分数 (fēn shù) — (exam) grade, score, mark; (mathematics) fraction

Definition

分数 is a schoolwork 'grade' or math 'fraction'. For a game/match score use 比分, and for academic achievement 成绩 is more common.

noun
(exam) gradescoremark(mathematics) fraction

Examples

  • 分数，。
    Zhè cì kǎo shì de fēn shù hěn gāo, wǒ hěn kāi xīn.
    The score on this exam is very high; I'm very happy.
  • 分数？
    Nǐ néng bǎ fēn shù huà chéng xiǎo shù ma?
    Can you convert the fraction into a decimal?
  • 分数。
    Tā de fēn shù bǐ shàng cì jìn bù le hěn duō.
    His grade improved a lot compared to last time.

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.

分fēnpoint
数shùnumber

A count of points or parts forms a score or fraction.

Characters in this word

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

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4Exams & GradesMath

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