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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'tens of' or 'dozens of' with 几十 (jǐshí)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    几十 + Measure Word + Noun

    Explanation

    The expression 几十 (jǐshí) means "tens of" or "several dozen" and indicates an approximate quantity in the range of ten to ninety-nine. It is used when the exact number is unknown or unimportant. For example, 几十年来 means "over the past several decades."

    Examples

    • 这家公司已经经营了几十年。

      Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐjīng jīngyíng le jǐ shí nián.

      This company has been operating for decades.

    • 几十个学生报名参加了这次比赛。

      Jǐ shí gè xuéshēng bàomíng cānjiā le zhè cì bǐsài.

      Several dozen students signed up for this competition.

    • 他收藏了几十本关于历史的书。

      Tā shōucáng le jǐ shí běn guānyú lìshǐ de shū.

      He has collected dozens of books about history.

    Expressing 'tens of' or 'dozens of' with 几十 (jǐshí) | Chinese Grammar