Meaning
The kanji 数 (suu, kazu) is a core character in Japanese, primarily representing concepts like “number,” “count,” “figure,” or “several.” It’s all about quantity and enumeration. While often appearing in mathematics and precise counting, 数 can also convey a general sense of “many” or “numerous.”
The origin of 数 is quite fascinating. It's an ideograph formed by combining two key components. On the left is 米 (kome), which typically means “rice.” However, in ancient forms, 米 often symbolized grains or many scattered items, thus representing “many” or “numerous items.”
The right part is 攴 (bokuzukuri), a radical depicting a hand holding a stick or whip. This often implies an action like striking, tapping, or marking. When combined, the kanji 数 visually suggests the act of counting or tallying many items (such as grains of rice) by making marks with a stick. Over time, this evolved to mean “number” itself, and the action of “counting.”
This visual connection makes its meaning easy to grasp: it’s like putting a mark or count to many scattered things. The kanji has 13 strokes and is taught in the 2nd grade of elementary school in Japan, so learners will encounter it fairly early and frequently.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi readings of 数 come from Chinese pronunciations. You'll typically find them when 数 is part of a compound word, especially in more formal or abstract contexts.
スウ (SUU)
This is the most common On'yomi reading for 数, used widely in words related to mathematics and quantity.
- 数字 (suuji) — numeral, digit, figure. For example, the digits 0-9.
Example: 電話番号の数字を覚える。
(Denwabangō no suuji o oboeru.) — I’ll memorize the digits of the phone number.
- 数学 (suugaku) — mathematics
Example: 彼は数学の先生です。
(Kare wa suugaku no sensei desu.) — He is a mathematics teacher.
- 数量 (suuryou) — quantity, amount
Example: 購入した商品の数量を確認してください。
(Kōnyū shita shōhin no suuryō o kakunin shite kudasai.) — Please confirm the quantity of the purchased items.
- 複数 (fukusū) — plural, multiple
Example: 複数の選択肢があります。
(Fukusū no sentakushi ga arimasu.) — There are multiple options.
- 少数 (shousuu) — minority, small number, decimal (e.g., 0.5)
Example: その意見は少数です。
(Sono iken wa shousuu desu.) — That opinion is held by a minority.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi readings are native Japanese pronunciations that connect directly to the kanji's meaning. You'll often see these when the kanji stands alone or is part of a Japanese-origin word.
かず (kazu)
This reading refers to a “number,” “figure,” or “amount” as a noun. It’s very common in everyday conversation.
- 数 (kazu) — number, figure, amount
Example: 子どもの数を数える。
(Kodomo no kazu o kazoeru.) — I’ll count the number of children.
- 人数 (ninzū) — number of people
Example: 会議の人数は10人です。
(Kaigi no ninzū wa jū-nin desu.) — The number of people at the meeting is 10.
- 点数 (tensū) — score, points
Example: 試験の点数が高かったです。
(Shiken no tensū ga takakatta desu.) — My test score was high.
かぞ-える (kazo-eru)
This is the verb form meaning “to count” or “to enumerate.” Remember that the okurigana (える) changes based on conjugation.
- 数える (kazoeru) — to count
Example: 卵を10個数える。
(Tamago o jikko kazoeru.) — I’ll count 10 eggs.
- 数えきれない (kazoekirenai) — countless, innumerable
Example: 星の数は数えきれない。
(Hoshi no kazu wa kazoekirenai.) — The number of stars is countless.
Common Words & Compounds
For N3 learners, seeing 数 in various contexts is key. Here are some common words and compounds, grouped by theme:
Mathematics & Quantification
- 数字 (suuji) — numeral, digit. Refers to the symbols (0-9) used to write numbers.
- 数学 (suugaku) — mathematics. The academic field dealing with numbers, quantities, and space.
- 算数 (sansuu) — arithmetic. Often used for elementary school math.
- 分数 (bunsuu) — fraction. A numerical quantity that is not a whole number (e.g., 1/2).
- 個数 (kosuu) — number of items. Used specifically for counting individual items, such as apples or chairs.
Amount & Degree
- 数量 (suuryou) — quantity, amount. The total number or amount of something.
- 多数 (tasuu) — large number, majority. Refers to a great amount or most people/things.
- 少数 (shousuu) — small number, minority. Refers to a small amount or few people/things. It can also mean decimal (e.g., 少数点 - decimal point).
- 複数 (fukusū) — plural, multiple. Indicates more than one.
- 回数 (kaisū) — number of times, frequency. How often an action or event occurs.
Counting & Related Terms
- 数 (kazu) — number, figure. A general term for a numerical value.
- 人数 (ninzū) — number of people. Specifically for counting people.
- 点数 (tensū) — score, points. Commonly used for test results or game points.
- 日数 (nissū) — number of days. The count of days.
- 数える (kazoeru) — to count. The verb form of counting.
Example Sentences
今日は果物の数が少ないです。
Kyō wa kudamono no kazu ga sukunai desu.
There are few fruits today.
私は毎日新しい単語を数えて覚えています。
Watashi wa mainichi atarashii tango o kazoete oboeteimasu.
I count and memorize new words every day.
このクラスの生徒の数は昨年より増えました。
Kono kurasu no seito no kazu wa sakunen yori fuemashita.
The number of students in this class increased compared to last year.
電話番号を忘れないように数字をメモしました。
Denwabangō o wasurenai yō ni suuji o memo shimashita.
I jotted down the digits of the phone number so I wouldn't forget it.
日本には多くの神社仏閣があり、その数は数えきれないほどです。
Nihon ni wa ooku no jinja-bukkaku ga ari, sono kazu wa kazoekirenai hodo desu.
There are many shrines and temples in Japan, and their number is countless.
科学者たちは、地球温暖化の影響で絶滅危惧種の数が増えていることに警鐘を鳴らしています。
Kagakusha-tachi wa, chikyū ondan-ka no eikyō de zetsumetsu kigu-shu no kazu ga fueteiru koto ni keishō o narashiteimasu.
Scientists are warning that the number of endangered species is increasing due to global warming.
彼は数学が得意で、難しいパズルでもすぐに答えを導き出します。
Kare wa suugaku ga tokui de, muzukashii pazuru demo sugu ni kotae o michibiki dashimasu.
He is good at mathematics and can quickly find answers even to difficult puzzles.
今日の会議には、当初の予定よりも多数の参加者が集まりました。
Kyō no kaigi ni wa, tōsho no yotei yori mo tasū no sankasha ga atsumarimashita.
More participants than originally planned gathered for today's meeting.
複数の選択肢がある場合は、よく考えてから決めることが大切です。
Fukusū no sentakushi ga aru baai wa, yoku kangaete kara kimeru koto ga taisetsu desu.
When there are multiple options, it's important to think carefully before deciding.
子供たちは公園で、数を数えながらかくれんぼをして楽しんでいました。
Kodomo-tachi wa kōen de, kazu o kazoenagara kakurenbo o shite tanoshindeimashita.
The children were enjoying playing hide-and-seek in the park, counting as they played.
Memory Tip
To remember 数, break it down into its components: 米 (rice/grains), which signifies many small items, on the left, and 攴 (a hand holding a stick or whip), representing the act of marking or striking, on the right. Picture a farmer carefully counting their harvested grains of rice by making marks with a stick for each batch. This image connects the idea of “many items” (米) with the action of “counting” (攴), directly leading to the meaning of “number” or “to count.”