RealHSK

HSK 4Lesson 14 of 14 · 3 grammar points

Approximation and numerical relationships

来、左右 and 大约 mark estimates. Fractions, percentages and multiples encode precise mathematical relationships when no estimate is present. Distinguish a new total from its increase relative to the original.

Learning goals (3)
  • Approximation with 来.
  • Around an amount or time.
  • Decimals, fractions and multiples.

来

Approximation with 来

A round numeral+来+measure often indicates approximately that many, commonly somewhat over in context.

门口有十来个人。

Mén kǒu yǒu shí lái gè rén.

There are around ten people at the entrance.

More

Pitfall: Do not read 来 here as the movement verb come.

左右

Around an amount or time

大约 precedes an estimate; 左右 follows an amount; 前后 often locates a range around a time.

我们八点左右出发。

Wǒ men bā diǎn zuǒ yòu chū fā.

We leave around eight.

More

Pitfall: Avoid stacking approximation markers unnecessarily.

两倍

Decimals, fractions and multiples

Read decimals with 点, fractions denominator+分之+numerator, percentages with 百分之, and ratios with 倍. Distinguish total multiple from increase.

今年的产量是去年的两倍。

Jīn nián de chǎn liàng shì qù nián de liǎng bèi.

This year's output is twice last year's.

More

三点五=3.5; 三分之一=1/3, denominator before numerator; 百分之二十=20%. 是原来的两倍 means twice the original; 增加一倍 means an increase equal to the original, yielding twice the original. 减少一半 leaves half. Avoid ambiguous claims such as decreases by two times.

Pitfall: 增加一倍 doubles the original total; 是一倍 normally means equal to it.

Source details (official syllabus)

  • Approximation with 来

    Syllabus item
    概数表示法3：数词+来+量词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-093
    PDF page
    397 (printed 394)

  • Around an amount or time

    Syllabus item
    用“大约、左右、前后”表示概数
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-094
    PDF page
    397 (printed 394)

  • Decimals, fractions and multiples

    Syllabus item
    小数、分数、百分数、倍数的表示法
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L4-095
    PDF page
    397 (printed 394)