数すう

prefix

several; a few; a number of

Prefix used before counters or nouns to indicate an indefinite small number, e.g. 数人 (several people), 数回 (several times).

• 数すう人にんの学がく生せいが質しつ問もんをした。

  Several students asked questions.

• この問もん題だいは数すう回かいにわたって議ぎ論ろんされた。

  This issue was discussed over several occasions.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

number; quantity; amount

Noun or suffix used to refer to a count or amount, often in compounds like 参加者数 (number of participants) or 人口数 (population count).

• 応おう募ぼ者しゃ数すうは予よ想そうを上うわ回まわった。

  The number of applicants exceeded expectations.

• この表ひょうは年ねん齢れい別べつの人じん口こう数すうを示しめしている。

  This table shows the population count by age group.

noun

counting; calculation; figures

Refers to the act of counting or the resulting figures; often used in contexts like 数に強い (good with numbers) or 数を数える (to count numbers).

• 彼かれは数すうに強つよく、暗あん算ざんが得とく意いだ。

  He is good with numbers and skilled at mental arithmetic.

• 正せい確かくな数すうを出だすには時じ間かんがかかる。

  It takes time to produce accurate figures.

noun

number; numeral; figure

A specific numerical symbol or value; used when talking about numbers as entities, e.g. 数字 (numerals) or 番号 (numbers).

• この数すうは何なにを表あらわしていますか。

  What does this number represent?

• 彼かれは紙かみに大おおきな数すうを書かいた。

  He wrote a large number on the paper.

noun

number (grammar)

Grammatical term for singular/plural distinction; used in linguistic contexts.

• 英えい語ごの名めい詞しには数すうの区く別べつがある。

  English nouns have a distinction of number.

noun

destiny; fate; outcome

Literary or idiomatic use referring to one's lot or the course of events; often in set phrases like 数の定め (destiny) or 数奇な運命 (strange fate).

• これもまた数すうの定さだめというものだろう。

  This, too, must be what they call destiny.

• 彼かれの数すう奇きな数すうには誰だれもが驚おどろいた。

  Everyone was surprised by his strange fate.