HSK 3Lesson 15 of 15 · 2 grammar points
Estimating quantities
Approximation can be explicit with 大概 or compact with adjacent numbers. The reader must distinguish an estimate from a numeral's ordinary place-value reading. Interpret 两三 as two or three, not twenty-three, when it precedes a duration unit.
Learning goals (2)
- Approximation with 大概.
- Adjacent numerals.
大概
Approximation with 大概
大概 before a quantity marks estimation; before a proposition it can instead mark probability.
这里大概有五十个人。
There are approximately fifty people here.
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Pitfall: Approximate quantity and uncertain truth are related but distinct readings.
相邻数词连用表示概数
Adjacent numerals
Adjacent numbers can approximate a small range, such as 两三天 or 三四个人.
我想住两三天。
I would like to stay two or three days.
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Pitfall: This is not the number twenty-three.
Source details (official syllabus)
Approximation with 大概
- Syllabus item
- 概数表达法2：（1）用“大概”表示概数
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L3-095
- PDF page
- 394 (printed 391)
Adjacent numerals
- Syllabus item
- （2）相邻数词连用表示概数
- Grammar ID
- grammar-L3-096
- PDF page
- 394 (printed 391)
- 1FILL BLANK
这里有五十个人。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“There are approximately fifty people here.”
- 2FILL BLANK
我想住。
Choose the expression that completes the sentence.
“I would like to stay two or three days.”
- 3MATCH
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
Tap a sentence, then tap its meaning.
- 4CHOOSE
Which means two or three days?
- 5CHOOSE
门口有三四个人。
Which reading fits?
- 6ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“There are approximately fifty people here.”
Tap the chunks in order. - 7ORDER
Tap the chunks to build the sentence.
“I would like to stay two or three days.”
Tap the chunks in order.
0 of 7 tasks answered.