Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 幾個 / 几个 | jǐgè, jǐge |
| 些 | xiē |
In Chinese, 'several' is expressed using different forms depending on the context and the specific amount being described. The form 些 is used when you want to emphasize an indefinite, non-specific amount rather than focusing on a precise countable number. If you need to express a larger quantity, the formal phrase 数十个 means 'tens of' or 'several tens of'.
What does it mean word for word?
In the form 幾個 / 几个, the character 几 (jǐ) means 'how many' and is used here to express a small number, while the character 个 (gè) is a generic measure word used for counting objects.
Which one should you use?
While 幾個 / 几个 can be used to ask 'how many' in a question, it functions as a way to say 'several' or 'a few' when used in a declarative statement. In contrast, 些 is often preferred when the speaker wants to emphasize an indefinite amount rather than a specific countable number.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used in a statement to mean 'several', 幾個 / 几个 functions as an indefinite pronoun or determiner.
How do you pronounce it?
jǐgè, jǐge
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, 几个 can imply a specific range of two to nine. Once the number reaches ten, the phrasing typically shifts to a different structure to avoid sounding too small.
- Using 些 can subtly change the tone of a request to be more polite or indirect. Asking for 一些 (some/several) of something often sounds less demanding than asking for a specific number.
- The character 些 is used in the common phrase 这些 for 'these' and 那些 for 'those'. This shows that the concept of 'several' is baked into the very way Chinese handles plural demonstratives.
Examples in context
- 这部手机和一些预装的应用一起出售。The cellphone came with several applications already pre-installed.This sentence shows how to use 些 to describe a quantity of applications.Tatoeba #1776498 by sadhen, translation #1637780 by Benjameno
- 他帶回了一些紀念品。He brought back several souvenirs.This sentence demonstrates the use of 些 to describe a quantity of souvenirs.Tatoeba #834411 by Martha, translation #289496 by CK
- 他花了 数十个 小时准备这个报告He spent several tens of hours preparing this report
Sources
- Wiktionary, “several” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
