读数 (dú shù) — reading (on a meter, gauge, or scale)

Definition

读数 (dúshù) refers to a numeric value displayed or recorded from an instrument — a meter's, scale's, or gauge's measurement output. It is the reading itself, not the act of reading or the instrument.

noun
reading (on a meter, gauge, or scale)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 读数。
    Yí biǎo shàng de dú shù fēi cháng zhǔn què.
    The reading on the instrument is very accurate.
  • 读数。
    Qǐng jì lù xià wēn dù jì de dú shù.
    Please record the reading on the thermometer.
  • 读数。
    Cè liáng qián yào xiān jiǎn chá chū shǐ dú shù.
    Check the initial reading before measuring.

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.

读dúread
数shùnumber

读 (read) specifies that 数 (number) is what is read off a scale, giving a meter reading.

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 讀; 读 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánto say
Sound part声符shēngfú
𧶠
𧶠𧶠讀dú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 讀 is made of 言 ('to say') and 𧶠 (giving the sound); this description is about 讀, not 读.

Open 读 →

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 →

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