shùzì: 数字 - Number, Digit, Digital

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

数字 (shùzì) is used constantly in two primary ways.

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.

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 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 shùzìhuà 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.

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.

• 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.