指数 meaning in English
(numerical, statistical) index; (math.) exponent
Meaning of 指数
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- (numerical, statistical) index
- (math.) exponent
- (attributive) exponential
How to use 指数
指数 is common in news, finance and science, for things like stock indexes, price indexes and air quality readings. In math it means exponent, and before a noun it means exponential, as in 指数增长 (zhǐshù zēngzhǎng) exponential growth. Example: 今天的空气质量指数很高。(Jīntiān de kōngqì zhìliàng zhǐshù hěn gāo.) Today's air quality index is very high.
指 (zhǐ) means to point, and 数 (shù) means number. An index is a number that points to how something is doing, like a finger pointing at a chart.
Common mistake: Learners often read 数 here as shǔ, the verb meaning to count, but in 指数 it is the noun reading shù. Also, do not confuse 指数 with 数字 (shùzì). 数字 is any digit or figure, while 指数 is a measured index or an exponent.
指数 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
指 zhǐ · finger · 9 strokes
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数 shǔ · to count · 13 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 指数.
| 数字 | shùzì | numeral; digit |
| 大多数 | dàduōshù | (great) majority |
| 人数 | rénshù | number of people |
| 多数 | duōshù | majority; most |
| 少数 | shǎoshù | small number; few |
| 分数 | fēnshù | (exam) grade; mark |
| 手指 | shǒuzhǐ | finger |
| 数量 | shùliàng | amount; quantity; quantitative |
| 指导 | zhǐdǎo | to guide; to direct; to instruct; coach; trainer |
| 指出 | zhǐchū | to indicate; to point out |
| 数据 | shùjù | data |
| 指挥 | zhǐhuī | to conduct; to command |
Questions about 指数
What does 指数 mean?
指数 (zhǐshù) means "(numerical, statistical) index; (math.) exponent" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 指数?
指数 is made of 2 characters: 指 (9 strokes), 数 (13 strokes). That is 22 strokes in total.
Is 指数 an HSK word?
Yes. 指数 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 指数 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 指数 is written 指數.
How do you say stock index in Chinese?
You can say 股票指数 (gǔpiào zhǐshù) or the shorter 股指 (gǔzhǐ). Specific indexes add a name, such as 上证指数 (Shàngzhèng zhǐshù) for the Shanghai Composite Index.
Can 指数 describe something growing very fast in everyday speech?
Yes. People say 呈指数增长 (chéng zhǐshù zēngzhǎng) to mean growing exponentially, both in technical writing and in casual talk about things that rise very quickly.