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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'several' with 数 (shù)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    数 + Measure Word + Noun

    Explanation

    The word 数 (shù), when placed before a measure word, means 'several' or 'a number of' and conveys a formal tone. It is commonly used in written Chinese to indicate an unspecified but notable quantity, such as 数月 (several months) or 数次 (several times).

    Examples

    • 这个问题已经讨论了数次，还没有结论。

      Zhège wèntí yǐjīng tǎolùn le shù cì, hái méiyǒu jiélùn.

      This issue has been discussed several times, but there is still no conclusion.

    • 他在国外生活了数年才回来。

      Tā zài guówài shēnghuó le shù nián cái huílái.

      He lived abroad for several years before coming back.

    • 数百名观众来到了现场。

      Shù bǎi míng guānzhòng lái dào le xiànchǎng.

      Hundreds of spectators came to the scene.

    Expressing 'several' with 数 (shù) | Chinese Grammar