HSK 2
概数表示法1
gài shù biǎo shì fǎ 1
Expressing approximate numbers (part 1)
Explanation
This is a way of expressing an approximate number (an inexact, roughly estimated figure) with the word 多 (duō, more than/over). The position of 多 determines whether the 'more than' part is in the tens or in the fractional part.
(1) Numeral + 多 + measure word (a word for a counting unit such as 'volume, catty') — used when the number is a round ten/hundred and the surplus is in the UNITS place: 三十多本 (more than thirty volumes, i.e. 31-39 volumes). (2) Numeral + measure word + 多 — used when the surplus is less than one measure-word unit (a fractional part): 三块多 (more than three yuan, i.e. three yuan and some jiao).
Use 多 when you don't know exactly and want to say 'more than' a figure. Remember 多 goes BEFORE the measure word if the surplus is a whole number in the units place; it goes AFTER the measure word if the surplus is a fraction smaller than that unit.
Vietnamese learners often place 多 in the wrong spot, saying 三多块 (wrong). For 'more than three yuan' it must be 三块多. And 'more than thirty' must be 三十多, not 三多十.
Examples
(1) Numeral + 多 (more than) + measure word
more than thirty volumes; more than fifty catties
(2) Numeral + measure word + 多 (more than)
more than three yuan; more than four meters; more than seven catties
Practice
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Learn “概数表示法1” effectively
The grammar point “概数表示法1” (Expressing approximate numbers (part 1)) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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