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算法 (suàn fǎ) — arithmetic; algorithm (in computing)

Definition

算法 means 'algorithm' (a step-by-step procedure, especially in computing). For basic arithmetic as taught in math class, learners more often see 计算 or 算术.

noun
arithmeticalgorithm (in computing)

Examples

  • 算法，。
    Zhè ge suàn fǎ bù nán, hěn duō rén dōu néng xué huì.
    This algorithm isn't hard; many people can learn it.
  • 算法。
    Jì suàn jī suàn fǎ kě yǐ chǔ lǐ dà liàng shù jù.
    Computer algorithms can process large amounts of data.
  • 算法。
    Zhǎng wò jī běn de jì suàn suàn fǎ duì xué hǎo shù xué hěn zhòng yào.
    Mastering basic arithmetic is very important for learning math well.

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.

算suàncalculate
法fǎmethod

算 (calculate) and 法 (method) combine to mean a method of calculation.

Characters in this word

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

The current form 算 has 竹 on top, 目 in the middle, and 廾 below; the 目 part may have originally drawn counting rods, often made of bamboo.

Open 算 →

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
氵Written in full as水shuǐwater
廌廌zhìa type of antelope or caprid
Sound part声符shēngfú
盍
盍hé法fǎ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

法's older form combined 氵 (water) and 廌 (a type of antelope or caprid), with 盍 as a sound part; later 廌 was dropped.

Open 法 →
Appears in
Computers & InternetMath

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