Definition
数 (shǔ) means 'to count' — physically enumerating items one by one (数钱, 数数). It also means 'to regard as' (数他为好老师). 算 (suàn) is broader: 'to calculate/compute' (算账) or 'to consider' (算他一个). 统计 is systematic tallying of data (统计人数). 数 is the hands-on, sequential action; 算 is more mental or abstract.
verb
to count (enumerate)to count asto regard as
Easily confused
- 楼lóulook-alikebuilding (with more than one story)
- 书shūsound-alikebook
- 搂lǒulook-aliketo hug, to embrace
- 输shūsound-aliketo lose (a competition, game, or argument)
- 屡lǚlook-alikerepeatedly, time and again (formal/literary; commonly used in 屡次)
- 树shùsound-aliketree
- 属shǔsound-aliketo belong to, to be affiliated with
- 束shùsound-alike(classifier) for bunches, bundles, or beams of light
- 赎shúsound-aliketo redeem (an item from pawn or pledge)
- 竖shùsound-alike(adjective) vertical, upright
Examples
- 数？Nǐ néng cóng yī shǔ dào shí ma?Can you count from one to ten?
- 数。Dàjiā dōu shǔ tā wéi hǎo lǎoshī.Everyone regards him as a good teacher.
- 数。Tā shǔ qián de shíhou hěn rènzhēn.He is very serious when counting money.
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