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mandarin123.com >> grammar >> numbers | estimates and approximation
Estimates and approximation
( 差不多 : cha4 bu4 duo1 ) -- almost
( 差不多 : cha4 bu4 duo1 ) indicates that a value is near but less than the specified number.
It is followed by a number + measurement word.
她差不多一百岁。
她差不多一百歲。
ta1 cha1 bu4 duo1 yi1 bai3 sui4。
She is almost 100 years old.
( 左右 : zuo3 you4 ) -- about; more or less
( 左右 : zuo3 you4 ) indicates that a value is a little more or a little less than the specified number.
It is preceded by a number + measurement word.
今天四十度左右。
jin1 tian1 si4 shi2 du4 zuo3 you4.
Today it is about forty degrees.
( 以上 : yi3 shang4 ) -- above, ( 以下 : yi3 xia4 ) -- below
( 以上 : yi3 shang4 ) indicates that a value is equal or greater than the specified number.
( 以下 : yi3 xia4 ) indicates that a value is equal or less than the specified number.
Both terms may directly follow a number alone, or preceded by a number + measurement word.
五十以上。
wu3 shi2 yi3 shang4.
Fifty or more.
五十以下。
wu3 shi2 yi3 xia4.
Fifty or less.
十块钱以上。
十塊錢以上。
shi2 kuai4 qian2 yi3 shang4.
Ten dollars or more.
十块钱以下。
十塊錢以下。
shi2 kuai4 qian2 yi3 xia4.
Ten dollars or less.
( 多 : duo1 ) -- greater than
( 多 : duo1 ) indicates that a value is greater than the specified number.
It follows the number, and precedes the measurement word if included.
五十多。
wu3 shi2 duo1.
More than fifty.
十多朵花。
shi2 duo1 duo3 hua1.
More than ten flowers.