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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to 'quite a few' with 不少 (bùshǎo)

    Degree & Intensity
    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Verb + 了 + 不少 + Noun

    Explanation

    The expression 不少 (bùshǎo) literally means 'not few' and is used to mean 'quite a few,' 'many,' or 'a considerable number.' It conveys a positive emphasis on quantity without specifying an exact amount. For example, 取得了不少发现 means 'made quite a few discoveries.'

    Examples

    • 这次旅行我们拍了不少好看的照片。

      Zhè cì lǚxíng wǒmen pāi le bù shǎo hǎokàn de zhàopiàn.

      We took quite a few nice photos on this trip.

    • 他来中国以后交了不少朋友。

      Tā lái Zhōngguó yǐhòu jiāo le bù shǎo péngyǒu.

      After he came to China, he made quite a few friends.

    • 这个学期我学到了不少新知识。

      Zhège xuéqī wǒ xué dào le bù shǎo xīn zhīshi.

      I learned quite a bit of new knowledge this semester.

    Similar Grammar

    Referring to 'quite a few' with 不少 (bùshǎo) | Chinese Grammar