Number meanings in Chinese

数字

Example:

My phone number is 1234567890.

我的电话号码是1234567890。

She has a lucky number.

她有一个幸运数字。

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in mathematical contexts, everyday life, and when discussing quantities.

Note: In Chinese, '数字' usually refers to numerical figures and can be used in various contexts.

编号

Example:

Please write the number of the house.

请写下房子的编号。

The book's identification number is 12345.

这本书的识别编号是12345。

Usage: formalContext: Used in administrative, legal, or organizational contexts when referring to identifiers.

Note: 编号 refers to a specific identification number assigned to items, documents, etc.

数量

Example:

The number of participants increased this year.

今年的参与人数增加了。

We need a higher number of volunteers.

我们需要更多的志愿者。

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in discussions regarding amounts or statistics.

Note: 数量 emphasizes the total count of people or items in a given context.

号码

Example:

Could you give me your account number?

你能给我你的账号吗？

He called the wrong number.

他拨错了号码。

Usage: formal/informalContext: Commonly used in relation to phone numbers, account numbers, etc.

Note: 号码 is specifically used for telephone numbers and other numerical identifiers.

编号（指某个特定的项目或物品的序号）

Example:

Each order has a unique number.

每个订单都有一个独特的编号。

You need to check the item number on the receipt.

你需要查看收据上的物品编号。

Usage: formalContext: Used in business, logistics, and inventory management.

Note: This meaning of 'number' focuses on the identification and tracking of specific items.

Amount

Amount refers to a quantity or sum of something, often used in a more general sense than 'number'.

Example: The amount of people attending the event was higher than expected.

Note: Amount is used for uncountable nouns, while number is used for countable nouns.

Quantity

Quantity also refers to an amount or measure of something, similar to 'amount'.

Example: The quantity of apples in the basket was sufficient for making a pie.

Note: Quantity is used in a more formal context and can also refer to the property of being measurable.

Total

Total refers to the whole amount or sum of something, often used to denote a final count or result.

Example: The total number of votes cast in the election exceeded expectations.

Note: Total emphasizes the sum of all individual parts, while number can refer to individual counts.

Figure

Figure can be used to refer to a specific numerical value or amount.

Example: The figure representing the sales for the quarter was impressive.

Note: Figure is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts to represent numerical values.

Count

Count specifically refers to the action of determining the number of items or people.

Example: The count of students present in the classroom was accurate.

Note: Count emphasizes the act of counting, while number refers to the result of the counting process.

Number one

Refers to someone or something that is the best or most important.

Example: She is the number one candidate for the job.

Note: It signifies top rank or priority rather than being a numerical value.

Crunch the numbers

To carefully analyze and work with numerical data or figures, especially in business or finance.

Example: We need to crunch the numbers before making a decision.

Note: It involves analyzing and processing numerical data rather than just identifying them.

Number cruncher

Refers to a person who works with numerical data, especially in a meticulous or analytical way.

Example: He's the number cruncher in the team, always handling the financial reports.

Note: It describes a person's role or expertise in dealing with numbers rather than a specific numerical value.

Back the wrong horse

To support or choose the wrong person, idea, or course of action that turns out to be unsuccessful.

Example: I think we backed the wrong horse by investing in that company.

Note: It implies making a wrong decision rather than specifically relating to numerical values.

Do a number on someone

To have a strong or damaging effect on someone or something.

Example: The stress really did a number on her health.

Note: It indicates causing harm or impact on someone or something rather than referring to a numerical value.

Numbers game

Refers to a situation where success or outcomes depend on numerical factors or calculations.

Example: Politics can sometimes be seen as a numbers game, focusing on gaining support.

Note: It highlights the strategic aspect of using numbers for success rather than just the numbers themselves.

Do a number on something

To cause harm, destruction, or a significant effect on something.

Example: The storm did a number on the crops, causing significant damage.

Note: It describes causing damage or a strong impact on something rather than specifically relating to numerical values.

Give me a ring

This slang term means to call someone on the phone. Instead of saying 'call me', 'give me a ring' is a more casual way to ask for a phone call.

Example: Give me a ring later to discuss the project.

Note: The slang term 'ring' is a more informal way to refer to a phone call or communication compared to the word 'number'.

Crack a cold one

This slang term usually refers to opening a cold beer or beverage. It is commonly used in a casual setting among friends.

Example: After a long day at work, let's crack a cold one at the bar.

Note: The term 'crack a cold one' uses 'crack' in a slang context to mean opening a drink, rather than the literal sense of breaking something.

Hit someone up

To 'hit someone up' means to contact or reach out to someone, usually referring to a conversation or meeting.

Example: I'll hit you up tomorrow to finalize the details.

Note: The slang term 'hit up' is used informally to denote contacting someone, as opposed to directly mentioning a phone number or contact information.

On the line

When something is 'on the line', it means that it is at risk or in jeopardy.

Example: Your job is on the line if you don't meet the deadline.

Note: The slang term 'on the line' uses 'line' symbolically to represent a state of danger or risk, different from the literal sense of 'number' as a numerical value.

Out of the blue

When something happens 'out of the blue', it means unexpectedly or without warning.

Example: She called me out of the blue last night.

Note: The slang term 'out of the blue' uses 'blue' to signify something sudden or surprising, contrasting with the usual association of 'number' with quantity or counting.

Rack up

To 'rack up' means to accumulate or gather a large quantity of something, usually in a negative context.

Example: He managed to rack up quite a bill at the fancy restaurant.

Note: The slang term 'rack up' implies piling up or amassing something, which is a deviation from the original meaning of 'number' as a numerical value.

Face the music

To 'face the music' means to accept the consequences of your actions or decisions.

Example: It's time to face the music and admit your mistake.

Note: The slang term 'face the music' uses 'music' metaphorically to represent confronting a situation, unlike the concrete representation of 'number' as a numerical figure.

I have a phone number.

我有一个电话号码。

Can you give me your number?

你能给我你的号码吗？

She has a large number of books.

她有很多书。

I need to memorize my credit card number.

我需要记住我的信用卡号码。

Number - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: number

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): numbers, number

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): number

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): numbered

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): numbering

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): numbers

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): number

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): number

Syllables, Separation and Stress

Number Contains 2 syllables: num • ber

Phonetic transcription: ˈnəm-bər

num ber , ˈnəm bər (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

Number: 100 - 200 (Extremely common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Number