计数 (jì shù) — to count, to tally (in a systematic or technica…

Definition

More technical/formal than the everyday 数 — used for systematic counting, tallying, or in scientific/computing contexts (e.g. 计数器, 计数单位).

verb

to countto tally (in a systematic or technical sense)

计数。
Wǒ men xū yào jì shù yí xià jīn tiān de zǒng rén shù.
We need to count today's total number of people.
计数。
Tā yòng jì suàn jī jì shù le sān cì shù zì.
He used a computer to count the numbers three times.
，。
Nǐ jì yí xià shù, kàn kàn zǒng shù duì bú duì.
Count the numbers and see if the total is correct.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

计jìcalculate

计 means calculate, 数 means number; 计数 is to count or tally.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 計; 计 is its simplified writing.

言十計

The traditional form 計 pairs 言 (say) with 十 (all). The simplified 计 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical shape.

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.

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