三四个

sān sì gè

Approximating with sequential numbers

Two consecutive numbers side by side give an approximate range.

Number 1 + Number 2 + Measure Word

How it works

三四个人 is three or four people; 一两天 is a day or two. No "or" is needed.

The numbers must be consecutive and ascending. 三五个 is an exception that means "a few".

For bigger ranges: 十几个 (ten-something), 几十个 (dozens).

Examples

  • sān sì gè rén

    三四个人

    three or four people

  • yì liǎng tiān jiù hǎo le

    一两天就好了。

    It'll be ready in a day or two.

  • wǒ děng le qī bā fēn zhōng

    我等了七八分钟。

    I waited seven or eight minutes.