Math Words That Start With C for Kids: List, Definitions in 2025

Last updated: 09/28/2025

Are you curious about math words that start with C? From circle to cube, these C words are everywhere in math classrooms, building blocks for geometry, arithmetic, and problem-solving. Learning them in both English and Chinese not only strengthens math understanding but also helps children build bilingual vocabulary a key trend in 2025 education.

At Wukong Education, we use engaging activities, visuals, and bilingual explanations to teach these C math terms. In this article, you’ll find a clear list of top C words, their definitions, Chinese translations, pinyin, examples, and fun activities to make learning exciting for kids.

math words that start with c feature

What Are Math Words That Start With C?

Math words beginning with the letter C are core to early math literacy. They include shapes, operations, and key concepts children see in school every day.

For example:

Circle (圆, yuán): A round shape where every point is the same distance from the center.
Cube (立方体, lì fāng tǐ): A 3D shape with six equal square faces.

Knowing these terms helps students follow instructions, solve problems, and talk about math in English and Chinese. In Wukong’s classes, teachers often integrate these words into games and visuals for better retention.

Top Math Words That Start With C List

Below you’ll find 20 key C words with definitions, Chinese translations, pinyin, and an example sentence.

Math Word (C)	Definition (English)	Chinese Translation	Pinyin	Example Sentence
Circle	A round shape with all points the same distance from its center.	圆	yuán	“The circle has a radius of 5 cm.”
Circumference	The distance around a circle.	周长	zhōu cháng	“We measured the circumference of the wheel.”
Cone	A 3D shape with a circular base and a pointed top.	圆锥	yuán zhuī	“The ice cream is in a cone.”
Cube	A 3D shape with 6 equal square faces.	立方体	lì fāng tǐ	“The dice is a cube.”
Cylinder	A 3D shape with two parallel circular bases connected by a curved surface.	圆柱	yuán zhù	“A can is shaped like a cylinder.”
Capacity	How much a container can hold.	容量	róng liàng	“The bottle has a capacity of 1 liter.”
Calculate	To work out an answer using numbers.	计算	jì suàn	“We calculate the total cost.”
Chart	A visual display of information, like a graph.	图表	tú biǎo	“We made a chart of the class survey.”
Classify	To group things based on features.	分类	fēn lèi	“We classify shapes by their sides.”
Coordinate	A set of numbers that show position on a graph.	坐标	zuò biāo	“Plot the point with coordinates (3,4).”
Constant	A value that does not change.	常数	cháng shù	“π is a constant in math.”
Coefficient	A number used to multiply a variable.	系数	xì shù	“In 3x, 3 is the coefficient.”
Compare	To see how two numbers or shapes are similar or different.	比较	bǐ jiào	“We compare fractions before adding them.”
Complementary Angles	Two angles whose measures add up to 90°.	余角	yú jiǎo	“The two angles are complementary.”
Composite Number	A whole number with more than two factors.	合数	hé shù	“4 is a composite number.”
Congruent	Figures that have the same size and shape.	全等	quán děng	“These triangles are congruent.”
Conversion	Changing a value from one unit to another.	转换	zhuǎn huàn	“We do a unit conversion from cm to m.”
Cross Section	The shape made by cutting straight through an object.	横截面	héng jié miàn	“The cross section of the apple shows seeds.”
Cube Root	A number that when multiplied by itself three times equals a given number.	立方根	lì fāng gēn	“The cube root of 8 is 2.”
Curvature	How sharply a curve bends.	曲率	qū lǜ	“We studied the curvature of the arch.”

Top Math Words That Start With B

Circle

Definition: A shape with all points equally distant from the center.
Chinese Translation: 圆
Pinyin: yuán
Example: Draw a circle with a radius of 5 cm.

Circumference

Definition: The distance around a circle.
Chinese Translation: 圆周
Pinyin: yuán zhōu
Example: The circumference of the circle is 2πr.

Cone

Definition: A 3D shape with a circular base tapering to a point.
Chinese Translation: 圆锥
Pinyin: yuán zhuī
Example: An ice cream cone has a circular base.

Cube

Definition: A solid figure with six equal square faces.
Chinese Translation: 立方体
Pinyin: lì fāng tǐ
Example: A dice is shaped like a cube.

Cubic Units

Definition: Units used to measure volume.
Chinese Translation: 立方单位
Pinyin: lì fāng dān wèi
Example: The box holds 27 cubic units.

Capacity

Definition: The amount a container can hold.
Chinese Translation: 容量
Pinyin: róng liàng
Example: The bottle’s capacity is 500 ml.

Chart

Definition: A visual representation of data.
Chinese Translation: 图表
Pinyin: tú biǎo
Example: We made a chart of class attendance.

Column

Definition: A vertical arrangement of numbers or data.
Chinese Translation: 列
Pinyin: liè
Example: Add the numbers in the first column.

Compare

Definition: To see which number is bigger or smaller.
Chinese Translation: 比较
Pinyin: bǐ jiào
Example: Compare 45 and 54 to find which is larger.

Complementary Angles

Definition: Two angles that add up to 90 degrees.
Chinese Translation: 余角
Pinyin: yú jiǎo
Example: These two angles are complementary.

Composite Number

Definition: A number with more than two factors.
Chinese Translation: 合数
Pinyin: hé shù
Example: 12 is a composite number.

Congruent

Definition: Shapes that are exactly the same in size and shape.
Chinese Translation: 全等
Pinyin: quán děng
Example: The two triangles are congruent.

Coordinate

Definition: A pair of numbers showing a point’s position on a grid.
Chinese Translation: 坐标
Pinyin: zuò biāo
Example: The point (3,4) is its coordinate.

Coordinate Plane

Definition: A grid formed by a horizontal x-axis and a vertical y-axis.
Chinese Translation: 坐标平面
Pinyin: zuò biāo píng miàn
Example: Plot the point on the coordinate plane.

Counting Numbers

Definition: Numbers used to count objects (1,2,3…).
Chinese Translation: 计数数
Pinyin: jì shù shù
Example: Counting numbers start from 1.

Cube Root

Definition: A number that when multiplied by itself three times equals another number.
Chinese Translation: 立方根
Pinyin: lì fāng gēn
Example: The cube root of 8 is 2.

Cylinder

Definition: A 3D shape with two parallel circular bases connected by a curved surface.
Chinese Translation: 圆柱
Pinyin: yuán zhù
Example: A soda can is shaped like a cylinder.

Central Angle

Definition: An angle whose vertex is the center of a circle.
Chinese Translation: 圆心角
Pinyin: yuán xīn jiǎo
Example: The central angle measures 60°.

Cross Section

Definition: The shape you see when you cut through an object.
Chinese Translation: 横截面
Pinyin: héng jié miàn
Example: The cross section of a cylinder is a circle.

Cartesian Plane

Definition: Another term for the coordinate plane.
Chinese Translation: 笛卡尔平面
Pinyin: dí kǎ ěr píng miàn
Example: Plot the point on the Cartesian plane.

Fun Math Words That Start With C Activities for Kids

1. C Words Matching Game

Match English C words with their Chinese translations and pinyin cards.

2. Bilingual Quiz

Question	Options
A 3D shape with 6 square faces?	Cube / Cone / Cylinder
Distance around a circle?	Circumference / Central Angle / Chart
Numbers used to count objects?	Composite / Counting Numbers / Coordinate
Two angles add up to 90°?	Complementary Angles / Congruent / Cube Root
Shape of a soda can?	Cylinder / Circle / Cone

3. Chart Creation Challenge

Students collect data (favorite colors, snacks) and make a chart, labeling in English and Chinese.

4. Coordinate Treasure Hunt

Plot points on a coordinate plane to “find treasure.” Children call out coordinates in both languages.

5. Wukong Online Practice

Complete interactive exercises on Wukong math courses using C words in real-world examples.

Conclusion

Learning math words that start with C makes math colorful, bilingual, and interactive. From circle to cube, these words build solid math foundations while expanding vocabulary in both languages. Start your child’s math journey today with Wukong Education’s online math courses!

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Nathan | WuKong Math Teacher

Graduated from the University of New South Wales. He has over 8 years of experience teaching elementary and high school mathematics and science. As a rigorous and steady mathematics teacher, Nathan has always been well received by students 1-12 grades.