数字

• Pinyin: shù zì
• Hanzi breakdown: 数 = 娄 (phonetic) + 攵 (action), meaning 'number'; 字 = 宀 (roof) + 子 (child), meaning 'character/writing'

Meaning

Number; digit. A numerical figure or value.

Refers to numbers in the abstract sense, including individual digits and larger numerical values. Used in contexts like mathematics, data, phone displays, and statistics. Common collocations include 数字化 (digitisation), 阿拉伯数字 (Arabic numerals), and 数字时代 (digital age). Not used for phone numbers specifically — use 号码 instead.

Examples

1. 这个数字是什么意思？ What does this number mean?
2. 请记住这几个数字。 Please remember these numbers.
3. 他对数字很敏感。 He is very sensitive to numbers.

Usage Guide

Context: mathematics, data, technology

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你能看清这个数字吗？(Can you see this number clearly?)
• 用数字回答这道题。(Answer this question with a number.)

Don't Say

• 不要用数字来说电话号码 (Don't use 数字 to refer to a phone number — the correct term is 电话号码 or 手机号; 数字 refers to the abstract concept of numbers or digits)

Origin & History

数 (shù, number) + 字 (zì, character/writing). Literally 'number characters,' referring to written numerical figures.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal