大約 / 大约
dàyuē
The English word 'approximately' is translated into Chinese as 大約 / 大约 (dàyuē). Wiktionary also lists 左右 (zuǒyòu) and 將近 / 将近 (jiāngjìn).
Meaning: imprecise but close to in quantity or amount (adv)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 大約 / 大约 | dàyuē |
| 左右 | zuǒyòu |
| 將近 / 将近 | jiāngjìn |
| 大致 | dàzhì |
| 或多或少 | huòduōhuòshǎo |
| 大概 | dàgài |
These terms are used to describe a quantity or amount that is imprecise but close to a specific value. While most forms deal with numbers, 或多或少 is used to express that something applies to a certain extent, often used for abstract concepts like 'influence' or 'importance' rather than just numbers.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 左右 literally translates to 'left right', used figuratively to mean 'around' a certain point.
Which one should you use?
While 大約 means 'approximately', 將近 / 将近 is used specifically when the amount is approaching a certain threshold from below (nearly). Additionally, 大概 can function as both an adverb meaning 'approximately' and an adjective/adverb meaning 'probably'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 左右 is placed after a number or time expression to mean 'approximately'.
How do you pronounce it?
dàyuē
Did you know?
- The term 左右 is so central to the concept of approximation that it is also used to describe a person's close assistants or subordinates, essentially meaning those who are 'around' them.
- The characters in 大約 literally mean 'big' and 'approximate'. In classical Chinese, this helped distinguish a rough estimate from a precise calculation.
- The word 大概 can be used to express a 'general idea' or 'outline' of a story, moving the meaning of 'approximately' from a number to a conceptual summary.
Examples in context
- 萨米六点左右打来。Sami called at approximately six.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 左右 with a time expression.Tatoeba #10484119 by BobbyLee, translation #6376309 by OsoHombre
- 我们离目的地 大约 还有一小时的车程。(wǒmen lí mùdìdì dàyuē hái yǒu yī xiǎoshí de chēchéng.)We are approximately one hour away from our destination.
- 这个箱子 差不多 / 差不离 20公斤。(zhè gè xiāngzi chà bù duō/chà bù lí èrshí gōngjīn.)This suitcase weighs approximately 20 kilograms.
- 我的飞机 大概 会在晚上8点到。(wǒ de fēijī dàgài huì zài wǎnshang bā diǎn dào.)My flight will arrive at approximately 8 PM.
- 他的年龄 大约是 三十岁。(tā de niánlíng dà yuē shì sānshí suì.)His age is approximately thirty years old.
- 这个东西 差不多 / 差不离 要300块钱。(zhè gè dōngxi chà bù duō/chà bù lí yào 300 kuài qián.)This item costs approximately 300 yuan.
- 他 大概是 开玩笑的。(tā dà gài shì kāiwánxiào de.)He is probably joking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “approximately” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
