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数字 (shù zì) — number; digit; figure (statistical or numerical value); digital (as an attributive noun, e.g. 数字技术)

Definition

数字 (shùzì) is 'number, digit, or figure' as a value (e.g. statistics, phone number digits). Distinct from 号码, which is a labeled number like a phone or room number, and from 数码, which means digital (technology).

noun
numberdigitfigure (statistical or numerical value)digital (as an attributive noun, e.g. 数字技术)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 数字，。
    Zhè ge shù zì fēi cháng zhòng yào, nǐ yào jì zhù tā.
    This number is very important, you need to remember it.
  • 数字。
    Qǐng bǎ zhǔn què de shù zì jì xià lái.
    Please write down the accurate figures.
  • 数字。
    shù zì Shí dài ràng wǒ men de shēng huó gèng fāng biàn le.
    The digital age has made our lives more convenient.

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.

数shùnumber
字zìcharacter

数 means number and 字 means character; together they mean a character representing a number.

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 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 →

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
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
子
子zǐ字zì
Same sound today

字 pairs 宀 (roof) with 子 (child); 子 gives the sound, while 宀 relates to the meaning.

Open 字 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 4Numbers & Counting2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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