数|すうsuu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. prefixseveral; a few; a number of
    あの木きの枝えだに数羽かずはの鳥とりがとまっている。↗
    Some birds are sitting on the branch of that tree.
  2. noun, noun (suffix)number; quantity; amount
    今年ことしは失業者数しつぎょうしゃすうが記録的きろくてきになるだろう。↗
    This year unemployment will reach record levels.
  3. nouncounting; calculation; figures; numbers
  4. nounnumber; numeral; figure
  5. noun, grammarnumber
  6. noundestiny; fate; outcome; course of events; trend
Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymナンバーNeutralA loanword for numbers used to identify things — codes, phone numbers, plates, as in 「ナンバープレート」; not number in the mathematical sense.
  • Synonym数量すうりょうNeutralCount and amount together — works for physical goods or data, as in 「数量が多い」; more statistical in flavor than 「数」.
  • Related量りょうNeutralThis entry is はか (「捗」, also 「量」): progress, no opposite of 「数」. The real contrast is 「量」 read りょう, often set against 「数」 as in 「数より量」, though not a strict antonym.
  • Related数字すうじNeutralThe symbols or figures that represent numbers, or figures in statistics, as in 「数字で示す」; 「数」 is the number itself or the mathematical concept.
  • Related数詞すうしWrittenA grammar term, mostly in written or formal prose, for the class of words that express number; it does not refer to numbers themselves.

「数」 read 「すう」 mostly works as a prefix meaning several, or in mathematical contexts; for everyday counting use 「数」 read 「かず」, for amount 「量」, for figures 「数字」. 「数量」 suits statistical counts and amounts, 「ナンバー」 ID numbers; 「数詞」 is the grammar term.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. (スウ)個数こすう。人数にんずう。数量すうりょう。
  2. (スウ)個数こすうや量りょうを抽象化ちゅうしょうかした概念がいねん。自然数しぜんすう、整数せいすう、有理数ゆうりすう、実数じっすう、複素数ふくそすうなどの総称そうしょう。
  3. (スウ)人ひとや物の数もののかずに由来ゆらいする文法ぶんぽう範疇はんちゅうで、名詞めいし・代名詞だいめいし、動詞どうしなどの語形ごけい変化へんかによって表あらわされるもの。単数たんすう、複数ふくすう、双数そうすう、三さん数すう、四よん数すうなどの総称そうしょう。
  4. (スウ)二にから六ろくくらいの数かずを漠然ばくぜんと表あらわす。なん〜か。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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