Definition
算数 (suàn shù) has two distinct meanings: (1) 'to count numbers / do arithmetic', and (2) 'to be valid / hold' or 'to keep one's word' (in 说话算数). Unlike 计算 (jì suàn, 'calculate/compute'), which focuses on mathematical operations, 算数 in sense (1) is more basic counting. In sense (2), it contrasts with 数 (shǔ, 'to count items'), which never carries the 'valid/keep word' meaning.
verb
to count numbersto do arithmeticto be validto holdto count (as important)to keep one's word (in 说话算数)
Examples
- 算数。Tā sān suì jiù huì suàn shù le.He could count at age three.
- 算数。Tā shuōhuà cónglái dōu suàn shù.He always keeps his word.
- ，。Nǐ bú qù dehuà, zhè cì huódòng jiù bú suàn shù le.If you don't go, this event won't count.
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