数论 (shù lùn) — number theory (branch of mathematics)

Definition

noun

number theory (branch of mathematics)

数论。
shù lùn Shì shù xué de yí gè gǔ lǎo fēn zhī.
Number theory is an ancient branch of mathematics.
数论。
Nà wèi shù xué jiā zhuān mén yán jiū shù lùn.
That mathematician specializes in number theory.
数论。
Tā zài shù lùn fāng miàn zuò chū le zhòng dà gòng xiàn.
He made significant contributions to number theory.

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 means number and 论 means theory, so 数论 is the theory of numbers.

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.

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 論; 论 is its simplified writing.

言侖論

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

侖

侖lún論lùn

Same sound today

The traditional form 論 pairs 言 (“say”) with 侖 as a sound component; the simplified 论 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.