Using "cai" for small numbers

The character 才 (cái) can be used to emphasize that a number is small, or less than expected.

Structure

Subject + 才 + (verb)+ Number + Measure Word + Noun

In English, we often express this by using "only" or "just" to emphasize that the number is small.

Examples

  • 这 家 公司 三 个 员工 。Zhè jiā gōngsī cái sān gè yuángōng. This company only has three employees.
  • 电影院 里 八 九 个 人。Diànyǐngyuàn lǐ cái bājiǔ gè rén.There are only eight or nine people in the theater.
  • 来 上海 不到 两个 月。cái lái shànghǎi bùdào liǎnggè yuè.I've only been in Shanghai for less than two months.
  • 工作 做 了 一半。Gōngzuò cái zuòle yībàn.Only half of the work has been done.
  • 他们 认识 三 个 星期 就 结婚 了。 Tāmen rènshi cái sāngè xīngqī jiù jiéhūn le.They've known each other only for three weeks before they got married.

See Also

Sources and Further Readings

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