HSK 6 · Verbs

算数 suànshù “to count (be valid)” in Chinese

Traditional 算數

What 算数 means

  1. to count (be valid)
  2. to mean what one says
  3. to count numbers
  4. to keep to one’s word
  5. to hold (i.e. to remain valid)
More meanings from CC-CEDICT
  • to count (i.e. to be important)

How to say 算数

  • Pitch chart of the fourth tone: falls from high to low, 5 to 1 on the five-level scale算suàn4th tone, falling
  • Pitch chart of the fourth tone: falls from high to low, 5 to 1 on the five-level scale数shù4th tone, falling

算数 in a sentence

  1. 那算数吗？

    Nà suànshù ma?

    Does that count?

    Sentence #10695968 from Tatoeba

How 算数 is built

Each colour is one part of the character. Parts repeat across thousands of characters, so learning them makes new words easier. See all 214 in our radicals chart.

The character 算 (suàn) with each of its parts in a different colour
算suànto calculate; to figure out
  • ⺮bamboo form of 竹 · zhú
  • 具tool · jù

Memory aidBamboo ⺮ counting sticks held in two hands 具: to count, to calculate.

The character 数 (shù) with each of its parts in a different colour
数shùnumber; figure
  • 娄a constellation · LóuSound part
  • 攵tap form of 攴 · pūMeaning part

攵 hints at the meaning (tap); 娄 (Lóu) hints at the sound. Compare it with shù.

How to write 算数

算 14 strokes · 数 13 strokes

Watch the order, then press Try writing it and draw each stroke in the grid. Each stroke is checked as you go.

算数 (suànshù) stroke order chart: each stroke of the characters in the order you write them
Stroke order chart for 算数 (suànshù). Red marks the next stroke, so you can copy it onto paper one step at a time.

Words related to 算数

Words with 算

打算dǎsuàn · to plan算suàn · to calculate计算jìsuàn · to count总算zǒngsuàn · at long last合算hésuàn · worthwhile结算jiésuàn · to settle accounts预算yùsuàn · budget运算yùnsuàn · mathematical operation精打细算jīngdǎxìsuàn · careful budgeting

Words with 数

数学shùxué · mathematics数量shùliàng · amount数字shùzì · numeral数shù · number数据shùjù · data数码shùmǎ · digital无数wúshù · countless数额shù'é · amount

More words: Thinking & Talking

识别shíbié · to identify示意shìyì · to signal疏忽shūhu · to neglect思索sīsuǒ · to ponder索取suǒqǔ · to ask for探索tànsuǒ · to explore探讨tàntǎo · to discuss讨好tǎohǎo · to please

FAQs

算数 (suànshù) means “to count (be valid)” or “to mean what one says”. It is an HSK 6 word.
Say it suànshù: suàn with a 4th tone, then shù with a 4th tone. Press Listen at the top of this page to hear it, or Slowly to hear each tone clearly.
In Traditional characters, used in Taiwan and Hong Kong, 算数 is written 算數. The pronunciation is the same.
Add a Chinese (Simplified) pinyin keyboard to your phone or computer, type suanshu with no tone marks or spaces, then choose 算数 from the suggestions. Typing suanshu into this dictionary’s search box finds it too.
算数 is an HSK 6 word in the HSK 2.0 word lists.

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Sources: meaning and pinyin checked by a native Mandarin teacher against the official HSK lists. Extra meanings from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0). Example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR). Character parts and stroke order from Make Me a Hanzi.