Approximate numbers 1: adjacent numbers

In Chinese, two adjacent (consecutive) numerals can be placed together to express an approximate number (equivalent to “one or two”, “three or four”, “seven or eight” in English).

Common pairs: 一两 (yì liǎng — one or two), 两三 (liǎng sān — two or three), 三四 (sān sì — three or four), 五六 (wǔ liù — five or six), 七八 (qī bā — seven or eight), 八九 (bā jiǔ — eight or nine).

Grammar Structure

Number 1 + Number 2 (+ Measure Word) + Noun

Example Sentences

我(Wǒ)每(měi)天(tiān)学(xué)习(xí)一(yì)两(liǎng)个(gè)小(xiǎo)时(shí)汉(Hàn)语(yǔ)。

I study Chinese for one or two hours every day.

你(Nǐ)都(dōu)喝(hē)了(le)三(sān)四(sì)杯(bēi)咖(kā)啡(fēi)了(le)，别(bié)再(zài)喝(hē)了(le)！

You have already drunk three or four cups of coffee, don't drink any more!

从(Cóng)小(Xiǎo)丽(lì)家(jiā)到(dào)公(gōng)司(sī)骑(qí)车(chē)七(qī)八(bā)分(fēn)钟(zhōng)就(jiù)能(néng)到(dào)。

Riding a bike from Xiaoli's house to the company only takes seven or eight minutes.

学(Xué)校(xiào)里(lǐ)边(biān)比(bǐ)学(xué)校(xiào)外(wài)边(biān)方(fāng)便(biàn)，附(fù)近(jìn)有(yǒu)三(sān)四(sì)个(gè)车(chē)站(zhàn)。

Inside the school is more convenient than outside; there are three or four bus stops nearby.