Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 數 / 数 | shǔ |
| 計數 / 计数 | jìshù |
| 計算 / 计算 | jìsuàn |
| 算 | suàn |
| 點 / 点 | diǎn |
The way you say 'count' depends on whether you are enumerating numbers, performing mathematical calculations or checking inventory. 數 / 数 is used for the act of enumerating numbers (like 1, 2, 3) or counting items one by one. 計算 / 计算 is used for the more formal act of calculating or computing. In business or logistics contexts, such as when performing an inventory or checking stock, you should use 點 / 点.
Which one should you use?
數 / 数 (shǔ) is specifically for enumerating numbers or items one by one. In contrast, 計算 / 计算 (jìsuàn) refers to mathematical calculation or computation. For business-related counting, such as checking stock, use 點 / 点 (diǎn).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'to count (including)', you can add the preposition 上 (shàng) after 算 (suàn) to form the phrase 算上 (suànshàng).
How do you pronounce it?
shǔ
Did you know?
- The ancient roots of 數 connect it to the Tibetan word རྩི, showing that the concept of counting has remained linguistically stable across the Himalayas for millennia.
- The word 數 can be pronounced as 'shǔ' when it is a verb meaning 'to count' but changes to 'shù' when it is a noun meaning 'number'.
- While 計算 / 计算 is used for math, the simpler 算 is often used in daily life to mean 'planning' or 'calculating a scheme'.
Examples in context
- 算上我一个。Count me in.This sentence shows how to use 算 to mean 'to include'.Tatoeba #14029298 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #42880 by CK
- 这不算犯错误。That doesn’t count as making a mistake.This sentence uses 算 to mean 'to count as'.Tatoeba #2367564 by GlossaMatik, translation #2367565 by eastasiastudent
- 那算数吗？Does that count?This sentence uses 算 to ask if something 'counts'.Tatoeba #10695968 by GlossaMatik, translation #2245285 by CK
- 请帮我计算这些数字Please help me count these numbers.
- 昨晚我们数了一百颗星星Last night we counted a hundred stars.
- 宝宝，数一数这些红花有几朵Baby, count how many red flowers there are.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “count” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 數, 算, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
