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奇 (jī) — (classifier) odd number (used after a number to count odd numbers)

Definition

奇 is a bound form meaning 'odd' in math, used immediately after a number (e.g. 三奇). The contrast with 偶 (jī vs ǒu) is what learners usually mix up — they only differ in tone.

classifier
odd number (used after a number to count odd numbers)

Examples

  • 。
    Zhè ge shù liè bāo hán sān gè jī shù.
    This sequence contains three odd numbers.
  • 。
    Liǎng gè jī shù xiāng jiā dé ǒu shù.
    Two odd numbers add up to an even number.
  • 。
    Wǔ gè jī shù zhōng zhǐ yǒu yí gè shì zhì shù.
    Among five odd numbers, only one is prime.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
大大dàbig; great
Sound part声符shēngfú
可
可kě奇
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

奇 pairs 大 (big; great) with 可, a sound part.

Appears in
Numbers & Counting2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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