小数 (xiǎo shù) — decimal (number) | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

decimal (number)

Measure word · 个

Easily confused

小数0.5。
Zhè ge xiǎo shù shì 0. 5.
This decimal is 0.5.
小数。
Fēn shù kě yǐ xiě chéng xiǎo shù.
Fractions can be written as decimals.
小数。
Yòng xiǎo shù biǎo shì shù zì hěn fāng biàn.
Using decimals to represent numbers is very convenient.

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.

小 means small and 数 means number; together a number expressed in small parts, a decimal.

Characters in this word

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

The shape of 小 comes from three small dots, later elongated into its strokes; the apparent parts 八 and 丨 are a later way of seeing it.

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.