Dictionary › 倒数

倒数

dào shǔ

2-character word Traditional 倒數

What 倒数 means

1. to count backwards (from 10 down to 0)
2. to count down
3. from the bottom (lines on a page)
4. from the back (rows of seats)

Other readings

倒数 is 多音字 — it is read more than one way, and the reading changes the meaning.

• dào shùinverse number; reciprocal (math.)

The characters in 倒数

• 倒dǎoto fall; to collapse; to lie horizontally; to fail; to go bankrupt; to overthrow
• 数shùnumber; figure; several; a few

Example sentences

• 开始发射倒数。
  Begin the launch countdown.
• 他是倒数第三个到的。
  Tā shì dàoshǔ dì sān gè dào de.
  He was the last but two to arrive.
• 她总是在班上拿倒数第一。
  Tā zǒngshì zài bānshàng ná dàoshǔ dì yī.
  She is always at the bottom of the class.
• 我是倒数第二个得知这个坏消息的。
  Wǒ shì dàoshǔ dì'èr gè dézhī zhège huài xiāoxi de.
  I was the second to last person to hear the bad news.