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变数 (biàn shù) — (mathematics) variable; (figurative) uncertain factor, variable (that can change a situation)

Definition

A 'variable' — used literally for an unknown quantity in math (like in an equation) and figuratively for an unpredictable factor that could change a situation or plan.

noun
(mathematics) variable(figurative) uncertain factorvariable (that can change a situation)

Examples

  • 变数。
    Zhè ge fāng chéng lǐ yǒu sān gè biàn shù.
    There are three variables in this equation.
  • 变数，。
    Jì huà hái yǒu hěn duō biàn shù, bù néng què dìng.
    There are still many uncertain factors in the plan; we can't be sure.
  • ，变数。
    Shì chǎng biàn huà tài kuài, chōng mǎn le biàn shù.
    The market changes too fast; it's full of variables.

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.

变biànchange
数shùnumber

变 'change' and 数 'number' combine to mean a number that can change.

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 變; 变 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攴攴pū
Sound part声符shēngfú
䜌
䜌䜌變biàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 變 uses 䜌 as a sound part and 攴 as a meaning part.

Open 变 →

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
Math

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