幾何 / 几何
jǐhé
The English word "geometry" is translated into Chinese as 幾何 / 几何 (jǐhé). If unsure, use 幾何 / 几何. Wiktionary also lists 幾何學 / 几何学 (jǐhéxué).
Meaning: branch of mathematics (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 幾何 / 几何 | jǐhé |
| 幾何學 / 几何学 | jǐhéxué |
The term refers to the branch of mathematics dealing with shapes and sizes.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 幾何 is composed of 幾, meaning "how many/what" and 何, meaning "what/which", literally translating to "what measure" or "how many".
Which one should you use?
While 幾何 can mean geometry, 幾何學 / 几何学 is the more precise term used when specifically referring to the academic discipline of geometry.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 幾何 uses traditional characters, which are standard in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. The form 几何 uses simplified characters, which are standard in Mainland China and Singapore.
How do you pronounce it?
jǐhé
Did you know?
- The translation of 'geometry' into 幾何 was influenced by Jesuit missionaries who brought Euclidean geometry to China during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- The term 幾何 / 几何 is an ancient way to ask 'how many' in Classical Chinese. While it is a specialized term for geometry today, it functions as a grammatical question word in historical contexts.
- In the context of design and art, the term 幾何感 is used to describe a 'geometric feel' or a modern, sharp aesthetic in architecture and fashion.
Examples in context
- 我也喜欢数学，特别是几何。I also like mathematics, especially geometry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “geometry” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
