指数
zhǐshù
In Mandarin, the phrase for index number is 指数 (zhǐshù).
The term 指数 refers to a statistical measure used to track changes in a variable over time relative to a base value. In a financial context, it is also used to refer to stock market indices, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Which one should you use?
索引号 is a more formal version of the phrase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the term 索引號 is commonly used as the formal equivalent of index number.
How do you pronounce it?
zhǐshù
Did you know?
- In Chinese mathematical texts, the word 指数 is also the standard term for 'exponent' in an algebraic expression.
- The character 指 in 指数 literally means 'finger' or 'to point'. It evokes the image of pointing to a specific value on a scale.
- While 指数 is used for numbers, the word 索引 is used specifically for an index at the back of a book. A learner using 指数 to describe a book's index would be misunderstood.
Examples in context
- 这个文件的索引号是多少？What is the index number of this document?
- 这本书的编号是什么？What is the index number of this book?
- 我忘记了我的课程编号。I forgot my course index number.
- 这份报告没有编号。This report doesn't have an index number.
- 这个消费指数上升得很快。Zhè ge xiāofèi zhǐshù shàngshēng de hěn kuài.This consumer index is rising very quickly.
- 我们需要查看新的经济指数。Wǒmen xūyào chákàn xīn de jīngjì zhǐshù.We need to check the new economic index.
- 物价指数反映了通货膨胀。Wùjià zhǐshù fǎnyìng le tōnghuò péngzhàng.The price index reflects inflation.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a market report in an office.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯，你看到最新的市场指数了吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ kàndào zuìxīn de shìchǎng zhǐshù le ma?Xiaowen, did you see the latest market index?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen看到了，最近的指数很不稳定。Kàndào le, zuìjìn de zhǐshù hěn bù wěndìng.I saw it, the recent index is very unstable.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这会对我们的投资计划有影响吗？Zhè huì duì wǒmen de tóuzī jìhuà yǒu yǐngxiǎng ma?Will this affect our investment plan?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，我们需要再仔细研究一下。Zhìqiáng, wǒmen xūyào zài zǐxì yánjiū yīxià.Zhiqiang, we need to study it more carefully.
