數

简 数 · 繁 數
Mandarin · pinyin shǔ#

Meanings · shǔ

  1. to count
  2. to count as; to regard as
  3. to enumerate; to list
Mandarin · pinyin shù#

Meanings · shù

  1. number; figure
  2. several; a few
Mandarin · pinyin shuò#

Meanings · shuò

  1. (literary) frequently; repeatedly
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Characters in this entry

數
shù · number; several; count; fate
数
shù · number; several, count; fate
Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

3 · shu3

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

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Compare dictionary sources Rime · Wiktionary

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

cuk1 · sok3 · sou2 · sou3

Cantonese word readings for 數. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

CanCLID contributors · CC BY 4.0 · source & license · Data pack

Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

character · Etymology 1

  1. to count; to enumerate
  2. to be reckoned as
  3. to criticize; to find fault; to blame

character · Etymology 2

  1. number; figure; amount (Classifier: 個/个; 粒 c)
  2. (mathematics) number
  3. (grammar) number
  4. several; few
  5. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) mathematics; reckoning (one of the Six Arts)
  6. (abbreviation, alt-of) short for 數學/数学 (shùxué, “mathematics”)
  7. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) divination
  8. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) skill
  9. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) law; rule; regular pattern
  10. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) legal system
  11. fate; destiny
  12. (Cantonese, Hakka, Southern Min) account (Classifier: 條/条 c mn-t; 盤/盘 c)
  13. (Cantonese) debt (Classifier: 筆/笔 c; 條/条 c)
  14. (Cantonese) sum of money (Classifier: 筆/笔 c; 嚿 c)
  15. (Cantonese) mathematical problem (Classifier: 條/条 c)

character · Etymology 3

  1. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) frequently; repeatedly

character · Etymology 4

  1. (obsolete on its own in Standard Chinese) fine and closely woven

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack

數 · shu3 · shu4 · shuo4
CC-CEDICT contributors and MDBG · edition 2026-10-13 · source lines 51,181, 51,182, 51,183
Original dictionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source & transformation details
Exact source records數 数 [shu3] /to count/to count as; to regard as/to enumerate; to list/數 数 [shu4] /number; figure/several; a few/數 数 [shuo4] /(literary) frequently; repeatedly/