tǒngjì: 统计 - Statistics, to Tally, to Count

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.