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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to count' or 'several' with 数 (shǔ/shù)

    Actions & Events
    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    数 + Object

    Explanation

    The character 数 (shǔ) as a verb means "to count" or "to enumerate." It can be used to describe the act of counting items or people. For example, 数一数 means "count them up."

    Examples

    • 老师让孩子们数一数教室里有多少把椅子。

      Lǎoshī ràng háizimen shǔ yī shǔ jiàoshì lǐ yǒu duōshao bǎ yǐzi.

      The teacher asked the children to count how many chairs there are in the classroom.

    • 她在那儿数星星，数着数着就睡着了。

      Tā zài nàr shǔ xīngxing, shǔ zhe shǔ zhe jiù shuìzháo le.

      She was counting the stars there, and as she counted, she fell asleep.

    • 你能帮我数数这些硬币一共有多少吗？

      Nǐ néng bāng wǒ shǔ shǔ zhèxiē yìngbì yígòng yǒu duōshao ma?

      Can you help me count how many of these coins there are in total?

    Often Confused With

    Expressing 'to count' or 'several' with 数 (shǔ/shù) | Chinese Grammar