What does 数 mean in Chinese?

数 (shǔ) means "to count; to count as; to regard as; to enumerate (sb's shortcomings)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 数?

数 is pronounced "shǔ" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.

What HSK level is 数?

数 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 4 on the new one.

What words contain the character 数?

Common words with 数 include 不计其数 (lit. their number cannot be counted (idiom); fig. countless), 乘数 (multiplier), 乱数 (random number), 不可数 (uncountable), 不名数 (abstract number).

How do you write 数?

You can practice writing 数 using our stroke order tool.

数 (shǔ), to count

数

shǔ

to count; to count as; to regard as; to enumerate (sb's shortcomings)

HSK 4 Was HSK 6verb

Traditional: 數

Character Breakdown

Radical: 攴 (no. 66)Traditional: 數

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to count
to count as
to regard as
to enumerate (sb's shortcomings)

Example Sentences

老师让学生数一数教室里一共有多少张桌子。

Lǎoshī ràng xuésheng shǔ yī shǔ jiàoshì lǐ yīgòng yǒu duōshao zhāng zhuōzi

The teacher asked students to count how many desks are in the classroom

Words Containing 数

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
不计其数	bù jì qí shù	lit. their number cannot be counted (idiom); fig. countless
乘数	chéng shù	multiplier
乱数	luàn shù	random number
不可数	bù kě shǔ	uncountable
不名数	bù míng shù	abstract number

Related Words

数清(shǔ qīng)· to count

→

历数(lì shǔ)· to enumerate

→

计(jì)· to calculate

→

一五一十(yī wǔ yī shí)· lit. count by fives and tens (idiom); to narrate systematically and in full detail

→

Grammar Notes

Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1

Number + Measure Word + Noun

According To (根据)HSK 3

根据 + Source/Basis，Subject + Verb + ...

Topic-Comment StructureHSK 3

Topic，Comment (Subject + Verb + ...)

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 6
HSK Lord study list: HSK 2 list

数: HSK 6 on the old exam, HSK 4 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 数 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.