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| 数字 [2025/08/12 14:24] – created xiaoer | 数字 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== shùzì: 数字 - Number, Digit, Digital ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 数字, shuzi, Chinese for number, Chinese for digit, digital in Chinese, Chinese numbers, what is shuzi, 数字 meaning, digital economy in China | |
| * **Summary:** A fundamental Chinese word, **数字 (shùzì)** literally means "number" or "digit." However, its meaning has expanded dramatically to mean "digital," making it one of the most important terms for understanding modern China. From the figures in a financial report to the massive "digital economy" (数字经济) powered by apps like WeChat and Alipay, mastering **数字 (shùzì)** is key to discussing both everyday topics and the country's technological ambitions. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shù zì | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun, Adjective | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** A number, a digit, a figure; or the adjective "digital". | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** At its most basic, **数字 (shùzì)** refers to the symbols we use for counting (like 1, 2, 3). Think of it as the building blocks of mathematics and data. In the 21st century, it has taken on a second, powerful life as the word for "digital," describing everything from cameras and music to the entire online world. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **数 (shù):** This character means "number" or "to count." It represents the core mathematical concept. | |
| * **字 (zì):** This character means "character" or "word," like a Chinese character (汉字 hànzì). It represents a written symbol. | |
| When combined, **数字 (shùzì)** literally means "number characters"—the written symbols used to represent numerical values. This simple combination elegantly captures the idea of a "digit" or "figure," which has evolved to encompass the entire "digital" realm built on the binary digits of 1s and 0s. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| The concept of **数字 (shùzì)** holds a dual significance in China, bridging ancient beliefs with hyper-modern reality. | |
| Traditionally, Chinese culture is rich with numerology, where certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky based on how they sound. The number 8 (八 bā) is extremely auspicious because it sounds like 发 (fā), meaning "to prosper." In contrast, the number 4 (四 sì) is avoided as it sounds like 死 (sǐ), meaning "death." This affects everything from choosing phone numbers to selecting a floor in an apartment building. | |
| In modern China, **数字** has taken on a new, monumental meaning: "digital." This is not just a translation; it reflects a national identity. While Western culture uses "digital" (from Latin *digitus*, "finger"), China's use of **数字** frames its technological leap as a move into an era defined by data, figures, and computation. The term **数字经济 (shùzì jīngjì - digital economy)** is a cornerstone of government policy and national pride, representing China's world-leading position in mobile payments, e-commerce, and social media integration. For a learner, understanding **数字** is to understand the force driving modern Chinese society. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **数字 (shùzì)** is used constantly in two primary ways. | |
| === As a Noun: "Number," "Digit," or "Figure" === | |
| This is its most literal meaning. It's used when talking about specific digits or quantitative data. | |
| * **Formality:** Neutral. Used in all contexts, from casual conversation to financial reports. | |
| * **Connotation:** Neutral. Simply refers to a numerical value. | |
| === As an Adjective: "Digital" === | |
| This is its modern, high-frequency usage. It modifies other nouns to indicate they belong to the technological, computer-based world. | |
| * **Formality:** Neutral to slightly formal. Common in news, business, and tech discussions. | |
| * **Connotation:** Generally positive, associated with modernity, efficiency, and progress. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 这个密码由六个**数字**组成。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège mìmǎ yóu liù ge **shùzì** zǔchéng. | |
| * English: This password is composed of six digits. | |
| * Analysis: Here, **数字** means "digits" or individual numerals. This is a very common and direct usage. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 我买了一台新的**数字**相机。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ mǎi le yī tái xīn de **shùzì** xiàngjī. | |
| * English: I bought a new digital camera. | |
| * Analysis: **数字** acts as an adjective, modifying "camera" to mean "digital." | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 报告里的这些**数字**准确吗？ | |
| * Pinyin: Bàogào lǐ de zhèxiē **shùzì** zhǔnquè ma? | |
| * English: Are these figures in the report accurate? | |
| * Analysis: In a business or academic context, **数字** refers to "figures" or "data points." | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 我们现在生活在**数字**时代。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen xiànzài shēnghuó zài **shùzì** shídài. | |
| * English: We now live in the digital age. | |
| * Analysis: A common phrase showing the broad, conceptual use of **数字** to mean "digital." | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 你最喜欢的**数字**是什么？ | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ zuì xǐhuān de **shùzì** shì shénme? | |
| * English: What is your favorite number? | |
| * Analysis: A simple, conversational question using **数字** to mean an abstract "number." | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 中国的**数字**经济发展得非常快。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhōngguó de **shùzì** jīngjì fāzhǎn de fēicháng kuài. | |
| * English: China's digital economy is developing very rapidly. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence is crucial for understanding modern China. **数字经济** is a key term in news and business. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 他很聪明，对**数字**特别敏感。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā hěn cōngmíng, duì **shùzì** tèbié mǐngǎn. | |
| * English: He's very smart and has a great sense for numbers. | |
| * Analysis: This shows **数字** used to mean a general aptitude for numbers and figures. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 支付**数字**化是未来的趋势。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhīfù **shùzì**huà shì wèilái de qūshì. | |
| * English: The digitization of payments is the trend of the future. | |
| * Analysis: Shows a related form, [[数字化]] (shùzìhuà), meaning "digitization." The root word is still **数字**. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 请把这些阿拉伯**数字**翻译成汉字数字。 | |
| * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē Ālābó **shùzì** fānyì chéng Hànzì shùzì. | |
| * English: Please translate these Arabic numerals into Chinese character numerals. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence cleverly shows **数字** as the base word for different numeral systems. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 公司的销售**数字**每个月都在增长。 | |
| * Pinyin: Gōngsī de xiāoshòu **shùzì** měi ge yuè dōu zài zēngzhǎng. | |
| * English: The company's sales figures are growing every month. | |
| * Analysis: Another common business usage, referring to performance metrics or "numbers" on a spreadsheet. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **数字 (shùzì)** and **号码 (hàomǎ)**. | |
| * **数字 (shùzì):** Refers to the *digit* itself or the abstract concept of a number/figure. Think of it as the raw material. It also means "digital." | |
| * **号码 (hàomǎ):** Refers to a number used for *identification*. It's a sequence of digits assigned to a person or thing. Think of a phone number, a room number, or a ticket number. | |
| **Rule of Thumb:** If the number is an ID, use **号码 (hàomǎ)**. If you are talking about the digits *within* that ID, the concept of numbers, or "digital" technology, use **数字 (shùzì)**. | |
| * **Incorrect:** 我的电话**数字**是 138-1234-5678。 | |
| * **Why it's wrong:** A phone number is an identification number, not just a collection of digits. | |
| * **Correct:** 我的电话**号码**是 138-1234-5678。(My phone **number** is...) | |
| * **Correct:** 你的电话**号码**里有几个**数字**“8”？ (How many digits "8" are in your phone **number**?) | |
| * **Why it works:** Here, **号码** refers to the full ID number, while **数字** correctly refers to the individual digits within it. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[号码]] (hàomǎ) - An identification number (phone, room, ticket). More specific than **数字**. | |
| * [[数据]] (shùjù) - Data. Often numerical data, but can also include other information. Closely related in the tech context. | |
| * [[数学]] (shùxué) - Mathematics. The academic field of studying **数字**. | |
| * [[数量]] (shùliàng) - Quantity, amount. Focuses on "how much" or "how many." | |
| * [[数字化]] (shùzìhuà) - Digitization, to digitize. The process of converting something to a digital format. | |
| * [[数字经济]] (shùzì jīngjì) - Digital Economy. A crucial term for modern China. | |
| * [[算]] (suàn) - To calculate, to count. The action you perform with numbers. | |
| * [[阿拉伯数字]] (ālābó shùzì) - Arabic numerals (e.g., 0, 1, 2, 3), the international standard. | |