jyu4 jin4餘弦余弦

Jyutpingjyu4 jin4

Yaleyùh yìhn

名詞

Definition

Cosine; the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse in a right-angled triangle.

writtenschool

How it's used

This term is strictly used in academic or technical mathematics contexts. In everyday casual conversation, people almost exclusively use the English loanword 'cos' instead of the formal Chinese term. Using the full term in a non-classroom setting will sound overly formal or even slightly awkward.

Examples

ni1呢tiu4條sou3數hok6學tai4題jiu3要gai2計jyu4餘jin4弦。

This math problem requires calculating the cosine.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知dim2點joeng2樣wan2搵ceot1出jyu4餘jin4弦aa4呀？

Do you know how to find the cosine?

Common phrases

jyu4餘jin4弦haam4函sou3數

cosine function

jyu4餘jin4弦ding6定lei5理

law of cosines

Common mistake

Learners often try to use this in daily life when talking about angles or geometry, but it will sound like you are reading from a textbook. Stick to 'cos' for any practical or conversational use.