gan1 sou3根數根数

Jyutpinggan1 sou3

Yalegān sou

Definition

Radical; the nth root of a number in mathematics.

neutralschoolnumbers

How it's used

Mathematical terminology in Cantonese often blends formal terms with colloquial verbs. While 根數 refers to the root itself, the act of calculating it is almost always expressed using the verb 開. This structure follows the pattern of other mathematical operations like 開方 for square roots.

Examples

ni1呢tiu4條sou2數jiu3要dim2點joeng2樣hoi1開gan1根sou3數aa4呀？

How do I take the root of this number?

keoi5佢gai2計hoi1開gan1根sou3數gai2計dak1得hou2好faai3快。

He calculates roots very quickly.

Common phrases

hoi1開gan1根sou3數

to extract a root

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 根數 with the general term for a number, 數字. Remember that 根數 specifically refers to the mathematical operation of finding a root, not just any numerical value.