数据 (shù jù) means 'data' — factual information, often in digital or numerical form, used for analysis, decision-making, or communication. The first character 数 (shù) means 'number' or 'numeral', emphasizing the quantitative nature of data; the second character 据 (jù) means 'evidence' or 'basis', highlighting that data serves as objective support for reasoning or conclusions. Together, they convey the idea of 'numerical evidence' — a concept deeply embedded in modern Chinese technical, academic, and business language.

This word is widely used in contexts involving computing, statistics, science, and everyday digital life — such as collecting data, analyzing data, or protecting personal data. It’s a formal, neutral-term noun; unlike colloquial alternatives like 信息 (xìn xī, 'information'), 数据 specifically implies structured, measurable, and often machine-processable content. It frequently appears in compound terms like 数据库 (shù jù kù, 'database') or 大数据 (dà shù jù, 'big data').