数学
mathematics; math
shùxué
What does 数学 mean?
数学 (shùxué) is the noun for 'mathematics' or 'math' as a school subject and academic field. Literally 'number-study,' it covers everything from arithmetic to higher math. In schools, you'll hear it constantly: 数学课 (math class), 数学老师 (math teacher), 数学题 (math problem). Chinese culturally treats math achievement as a sign of intelligence and discipline, so saying 我数学不好 ('I'm bad at math') is a common, slightly self-deprecating remark.
Note the difference from English: 'doing the math' or 'do math' in the sense of calculating is 算 (suàn) or 计算 (jìsuàn), not 数学. 数学 is the discipline; 算 is the action. The full Chinese term is unshortened — there is no slang abbreviation like English 'math.'
Character breakdown
number; to count
study; learn; -ology
Memory hook: 数 'number' + 学 'study' = the study of numbers — mathematics.
Measure word for 数学
Example sentences
我最喜欢数学。
Wǒ zuì xǐhuan shùxué.
My favorite subject is math.
spoken
今天有两节数学课。
Jīntiān yǒu liǎng jié shùxué kè.
We have two math classes today.
neutral
他数学很好，可是英语不太好。
Tā shùxué hěn hǎo, kěshì Yīngyǔ bú tài hǎo.
He's good at math but not great at English.
neutral
这道数学题有点儿难。
Zhè dào shùxué tí yǒudiǎnr nán.
This math problem is a bit hard.
spoken
我妹妹想当数学老师。
Wǒ mèimei xiǎng dāng shùxué lǎoshī.
My little sister wants to be a math teacher.
neutral
Common phrases with 数学
Synonyms
算术 means 'arithmetic' — just basic calculation (add, subtract, multiply, divide), typically taught to young children. 数学 is the whole field including algebra, geometry, and beyond.
Don't confuse 数学 with
数字 means 'numeral / digit' (the symbols 1, 2, 3). 数学 is the subject. Don't say 我喜欢数字 when you mean 'I like math' — say 我喜欢数学.
科学 is 'science' (physics, chemistry, biology as a group). 数学 is treated as its own subject, separate from 科学 in Chinese schools.
数 alone means 'number' (shù) or 'to count' (shǔ). 数学 the noun always pairs both characters; don't drop one.