Expressing approximate numbers: 概数表达法

In Chinese, two consecutive numbers used together express an approximate, inexact quantity.

In English it usually comes out as:

… or … about … some …

Core Rule

Two consecutive numbers + measure word / noun

Meaning: an approximate quantity

For example:

七八天qī bā tiānseven or eight days

五六个学生wǔ liù ge xuéshengfive or six students

三四年前sān sì nián qiánthree or four years ago

春节大概放七八天假

Structure

七 + 八 + 天 seven + eight + day 春节 — Spring Festival 大概 — roughly 放假 — to have time off 七八天 — seven or eight days

Here 七八天 doesn't mean exactly 7 or 8 days — it's an approximate stretch of time.

教室里来了五六个学生

Structure

五 + 六 + 个学生 five + six + students 教室里 — in / into the classroom 来了 — came 五六个学生 — five or six students

Here 五六个 states an approximate number.

这些照片是三四年前照的吧？

Structure

三 + 四 + 年前 three + four + years ago 这些照片 — these photos 三四年前 — three or four years ago 照的 — were taken 吧 — the tone of a guess seeking confirmation

Here 三四年前 doesn't give an exact time — it means roughly three or four years back.

Two consecutive numbers = an approximate quantity

Examples:

七八天qī bā tiānseven or eight days

五六个学生wǔ liù ge xuéshengfive or six students

三四年前sān sì nián qiánthree or four years ago