负数
fùshù
The English phrase 'negative numbers' is translated into Chinese as 负数 (fùshù).
负数 is used to refer to numbers that are less than zero. The component 负 can mean 'negative' or 'minus'. For example, you can express '-50' formally as 是负五十 (shì fù wǔshí).
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 负 (fù), meaning 'negative' or 'to owe' and 数 (shù), meaning 'number'.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the number and the symbol. While 负数 refers to the negative numbers themselves, 负号 refers specifically to the mathematical minus sign (-).
How do you pronounce it?
fùshù
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese mathematics, negative numbers were represented by using red counting rods for negative values and black rods for positive values.
- While 'positive' in English can mean 'correct' or 'good', the Chinese counterpart 正 (zhèng) used in the pair 'positive and negative' literally refers to being 'straight' or 'upright'.
- The character 负 in 负数 can also mean 'to carry on one's back', providing a physical image of a burden.
Examples in context
- 负一-1
- 负十-10
- 负一百-100
- 负一千-1,000
- 负一万-10,000
- 负一百万-1,000,000
- 负八十二-82
- 负五百-500
- 负三千六百七十-3,670
- 负一万两千-12,000
- 负五Negative five
- 数学里有很多负数。Shùxué lǐ yǒu hěnduō fùshù.There are many negative numbers in mathematics.
- 请把这些负数写在黑板上。Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē fùshù xiě zài hēibǎn shàng.Please write these negative numbers on the blackboard.
- 零以下的数字被称为负数。Líng yǐxià de shùzì bèi chēng wèi fùshù.Numbers below zero are called negative numbers.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their math homework.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，这道题里的负数怎么算？Jiāyí, zhè dào tí lǐ de fùshù zěnme suàn?Jiayi, how do you calculate the negative numbers in this problem?
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你要先看符号。Hàorán, nǐ yào xiān kàn fúhào.Haoran, you need to look at the signs first.
- 浩然 Haoran原来如此，我明白了。Yuánlái rúcǐ, wǒ míngbai le.I see, I understand now.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们就继续做下一题吧。Nà wǒmen jiù jìxù zuò xià yī tí ba.Then let's continue with the next problem.
