数据

• Pinyin: shù jù
• Hanzi breakdown: 数 = 娄 (phonetic) + 攵 (to strike), meaning number or to count; 据 = 扌(hand) + 居 (to reside), meaning evidence or basis

Meaning

Data; statistics; figures. Information in numerical or factual form.

Refers to information collected and stored in numerical or structured form. Widely used in technology, research, and business contexts. In modern Chinese, heavily associated with computing and big data concepts.

Examples

1. 这些数据表明今年的销售额增长了很多。 These data show that sales have grown a lot this year.
2. 请把调查数据整理成一份报告。 Please organise the survey data into a report.
3. 他不小心把电脑里的重要数据删了。 He accidentally deleted important data from his computer.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, business, research

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 我们需要更多的数据来支持这个结论。(We need more data to support this conclusion.)
• 数据分析是现在很热门的专业。(Data analysis is a very popular major right now.)

Don't Say

• 我的手机数据用完了。(Don't use 数据 to mean mobile data in this way — use 流量 for mobile data allowance.)

Origin & History

Compound of 数 (number, to count) and 据 (evidence, basis), literally 'numerical evidence.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal