统计

tǒngjì: 统计 - Statistics, to Tally, to Count

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: tǒngjì, 统计, statistics in Chinese, how to say tally in Chinese, count up Chinese, Chinese data analysis, what is tongji, 统计 meaning, HSK 5 vocabulary, Chinese for business
  • Summary: Discover the meaning of tǒngjì (统计), a crucial Chinese word for both “statistics” as a field and the verb “to tally” or “count up.” This term is essential for understanding discussions about data in business, government, and academic contexts in China. Whether you're analyzing market trends, reading a government report, or simply counting participants for an event, tǒngjì is the precise and standard term to use.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): tǒngjì
  • Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: As a noun, it means “statistics”; as a verb, it means “to tally,” “to count up,” or “to gather statistics.”
  • In a Nutshell: Tǒngjì is all about gathering numerical data to get a meaningful summary. It's a step beyond simply counting one-by-one. Think of it as the official word for counting things to produce a final report, figure, or analysis. If you're dealing with spreadsheets, surveys, or census data, you are dealing with tǒngjì.

Character Breakdown

  • 统 (tǒng): This character means “to unite,” “to gather,” or “to govern.” The silk radical (纟) on the left suggests weaving or bringing things together into a unified whole.
  • 计 (jì): This character means “to calculate” or “to plan.” The speech radical (讠) on the left hints at planning or accounting through articulation and record-keeping.
  • Together, 统计 (tǒngjì) literally means “to unite and calculate” or “to gather and count,” which perfectly captures the modern meaning of tallying data to create comprehensive statistics.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • The Power of Official Data: In modern China, tǒngjì carries a strong sense of officiality and authority. Government bodies, most notably the 国家统计局 (Guójiā Tǒngjìjú) - National Bureau of Statistics, release official statistics that are fundamental to state planning, economic forecasting, and policy-making. These numbers are often presented as objective facts that measure and guide national progress, from GDP growth to population changes.
  • Contrast with Western “Statistics”: While statistics are important everywhere, the cultural weight can differ. In some Western contexts, there is a robust public discourse around questioning or being skeptical of official statistics (“lies, damned lies, and statistics”). In China, while academic debate exists, the official tǒngjì are generally presented and received with a greater degree of authority and as a bedrock for collective national efforts. The term is less about casual “fun facts” and more about serious data for analysis and planning. It reflects a societal value on large-scale, data-driven governance and collective organization.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • As a Noun (Statistics): This is its most common usage in formal, academic, and business settings. It refers to the field of statistics or a body of statistical data.
    • Example: `经济统计 (jīngjì tǒngjì)` - Economic statistics
    • Example: `官方统计 (guānfāng tǒngjì)` - Official statistics
  • As a Verb (to Tally / Count Up): This is used when the action involves counting a large number of items to get a final, meaningful total. It is more formal and purposeful than the simple verb 数 (shǔ), which just means “to count” (e.g., 1, 2, 3…).
    • You 统计 the number of votes in an election.
    • You 统计 the company's monthly expenses.
    • You 统计 the number of people attending a conference.
  • Connotation and Formality: Tǒngjì is a neutral and objective term. It is generally used in standard to formal situations. In very casual conversation, you might just use 数 (shǔ) or 算 (suàn), but for any task that requires accuracy and a final total, tǒngjì is the appropriate choice.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 根据官方统计，今年的人口增长了百分之一。
    • Pinyin: Gēnjù guānfāng tǒngjì, jīnnián de rénkǒu zēngzhǎng le bǎifēnzhī yī.
    • English: According to official statistics, the population grew by one percent this year.
    • Analysis: Here, 统计 is used as a noun (“statistics”) in a formal context, referring to official government data.
  • Example 2:
    • 老师，我们来统计一下班里有多少人想参加活动。
    • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, wǒmen lái tǒngjì yīxià bānli yǒu duōshǎo rén xiǎng cānjiā huódòng.
    • English: Teacher, let's tally up how many people in the class want to join the activity.
    • Analysis: Here, 统计 is used as a verb (“to tally up”). The phrase `[verb] 一下 (yīxià)` softens the command, making it a suggestion.
  • Example 3:
    • 这份市场统计报告对我们的决策很重要。
    • Pinyin: Zhè fèn shìchǎng tǒngjì bàogào duì wǒmen de juécè hěn zhòngyào.
    • English: This market statistics report is very important for our decision-making.
    • Analysis: 统计 acts as a modifier for `报告 (bàogào)`, creating the compound noun “statistics report.” This is very common in business Chinese.
  • Example 4:
    • 他大学的专业是统计学。
    • Pinyin: Tā dàxué de zhuānyè shì tǒngjìxué.
    • English: His major in university is statistics.
    • Analysis: The character `学 (xué)` is added to 统计 to specify the academic field of “statistics.”
  • Example 5:
    • 请把这些发票统计一下，看看我们这个月花了多少钱。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē fāpiào tǒngjì yīxià, kànkan wǒmen zhège yuè huāle duōshǎo qián.
    • English: Please tally up these invoices to see how much we spent this month.
    • Analysis: A classic example of the verb usage in a practical business or personal finance context.
  • Example 6:
    • 据不完全统计，已有超过一千人报名。
    • Pinyin: Jù bù wánquán tǒngjì, yǐ yǒu chāoguò yīqiān rén bàomíng.
    • English: According to incomplete statistics, more than a thousand people have already signed up.
    • Analysis: `据不完全统计 (jù bù wánquán tǒngjì)` is a very common set phrase in news and reports, indicating that the numbers are preliminary.
  • Example 7:
    • 人事部正在统计今年的员工出勤率。
    • Pinyin: Rénshìbù zhèngzài tǒngjì jīnnián de yuángōng chūqínlǜ.
    • English: The HR department is currently compiling statistics on this year's employee attendance rate.
    • Analysis: Shows 统计 as an ongoing action (`正在…`) related to corporate management.
  • Example 8:
    • 每次选举后，统计票数都是一项巨大的工程。
    • Pinyin: Měi cì xuǎnjǔ hòu, tǒngjì piàoshù dōu shì yī xiàng jùdà de gōngchéng.
    • English: After every election, tallying the votes is a huge task.
    • Analysis: This sentence uses 统计 as a verb within a “verb-object” phrase, `统计票数 (tǒngjì piàoshù)`, which functions as the subject of the sentence.
  • Example 9:
    • 从统计数据来看，我们的新产品非常受欢迎。
    • Pinyin: Cóng tǒngjì shùjù láikàn, wǒmen de xīn chǎnpǐn fēicháng shòu huānyíng.
    • English: Judging from the statistical data, our new product is very popular.
    • Analysis: This sentence clearly shows the relationship between 统计 (statistics/statistical) and 数据 (data).
  • Example 10:
    • 统计结果显示，大多数用户更喜欢A方案。
    • Pinyin: Tǒngjì jiéguǒ xiǎnshì, dàduōshù yònghù gèng xǐhuān A fāng'àn.
    • English: The statistical results show that the majority of users prefer Plan A.
    • Analysis: `统计结果 (tǒngjì jiéguǒ)` is another common compound noun meaning “statistical results” or “tally results.”

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 统计 (tǒngjì) vs. 数 (shǔ): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
    • 数 (shǔ): The simple physical act of counting. (e.g., “Count to ten.” `数到十 (shǔ dào shí)`). It focuses on the process of enumeration.
    • 统计 (tǒngjì): Tallying or compiling data to get a meaningful total or summary. It focuses on the purpose and the result.
    • Incorrect: `请统计一下这里有几个人。` (Technically not wrong, but overkill and unnatural for a simple count.)
    • Correct: `请数一下这里有几个人。` (Please count how many people are here.)
    • Correct: `请统计一下所有分公司的总人数。` (Please tally the total number of people from all branch offices.)
  • 统计 (tǒngjì) vs. 数据 (shùjù):
    • 数据 (shùjù): Data. The raw information, the numbers, the facts.
    • 统计 (tǒngjì): Can be the *process* of analyzing data, or the *result* of the analysis (the statistics).
    • Relationship: You analyze 数据 (data) to produce 统计 (statistics). For example: `我们分析了销售数据 (shùjù)，得出了这份统计 (tǒngjì) 报告。` (We analyzed the sales data and produced this statistical report.)

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 数据 (shùjù) - Data. The raw numbers and facts that are used to create statistics.
  • 分析 (fēnxī) - To analyze. The action performed on data and statistics to find meaning.
  • 计算 (jìsuàn) - To calculate, to compute. A general term for performing mathematical operations.
  • 调查 (diàochá) - Survey, investigation. A common method used to collect data for statistical analysis.
  • 总计 (zǒngjì) - Grand total. Often the final result of performing a 统计.
  • 平均 (píngjūn) - Average, mean. A fundamental concept in statistics.
  • 图表 (túbiǎo) - Chart, graph. A visual representation of statistics.
  • 报告 (bàogào) - Report. Statistics are often presented in a report.
  • 人口 (rénkǒu) - Population. One of the most common subjects of national statistics.
  • 国家统计局 (Guójiā Tǒngjìjú) - The National Bureau of Statistics of China, the official source of tǒngjì.