Approximating with sequential numbers

Saying approximate numbers in Chinese is quite simple, and this article introduces one of the most basic ways to do so.

Structure

An easy way to express approximate numbers is to use two sequential numbers in a row.

Number + (Number+1)

This is similar to saying "x to y", "x or y" or "about x" in English.

Examples

  • 三 四 个人Three or four people
  • 我 喝 了 七 八 瓶 啤酒 了。I drank 7 or 8 bottles of beer.
  • 一 两One or two days.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books