In Mandarin, there are different types of large quantity quantifiers. A quantifier conveys an amount or quantity, large or small. Let’s look at some examples:
These quantifiers have something in common: they refer to a large but inexact number. For example, how many is 许多 transcribed xǔduōmeaning many? It depends on context, right? Mandarin has different types of large quantity quantifiers, and each type has its own form and usage. Such quantifiers are commonly used, therefore it is important for us to know what they mean and how to use them ourselves. Interested? Dive in to read more.
How to use the large quantity quantifier structure “A + 多 (duō, “many/much”)” in Mandarin Chinese?
Use the large quantity quantifier 多 transcribed duō to mean “many/much,” always preceded by another word, which can vary. Examples of large quantity quantifiers following the A + 多 transcribed duō structure are: 许多 transcribed xǔduō, 很多 transcribed hěnduō, and 好多 transcribed hǎoduō, among others. They all mean “a large quantity”: 许 in 许多 means “at the level of,” 很 in 很多 means “very,” 好 in 好多 means “quite a lot.” The combination of these enhancing words with 多 transcribed duō conveys an even larger quantity. The first two can be used formally or informally, but 好多 transcribed hǎoduō is mostly used in an informal context.
This type of quantifier can be reduplicated, but in different forms. For example, the form for 许多 transcribed xǔduō is AABB (许许多多), but the form for 很多 transcribed hěnduō and 好多 transcribed hǎoduō is ABAB (很多很多 and 好多好多).The function of reduplication is to increase the degree of the large quantity. For example, the quantity of 很多很多 is more than 很多 transcribed hěnduō.
There are more quantifiers of this type in Mandarin Chinese. For example, there is 众多 transcribed zhòngduō, where 众 means “many,” 居多 transcribed jūduō, where 居 means “at the level of,” and 诸多 transcribed zhūduō , where 诸 means “many.” All three of these words mean “a lot,” but there are restrictions on where and with which words to use them, which makes them not interchangeable.
The above three are all used in a formal context.
How to use the large quantity quantifier structure “大 (dà, “large”) + A” in Mandarin Chinese?
This type of large quantity quantifier consists of the character 大 transcribed dàmeaning large as a constant word, plus other words. Take, for example, 大量 transcribed dàliàngmeaning a large amount, where 量 means “amount,” and 大多数 transcribed dàduōshùmeaning most , where 多数 means “majority.”
This type differs from “A + 多 transcribed duō ” in that the “大 transcribed dà + A” quantifiers cannot be reduplicated. Also, “A + 多 transcribed duō” stresses the “many/much” meaning, but “大 transcribed dà + A” highlights the “large” (in size) meaning in addition to the “many/much” meaning.
What are the other large quantity quantifiers in Mandarin Chinese?
There are other types of large quantity quantifiers in Mandarin Chinese. For example: 不少 transcribed bùshǎomeaning not a few/many, where 不 transcribed bù means “not” and 少 transcribed shǎomeans “few,” 无数 transcribed wúshùmeaning no limit/countless, where 无 transcribed wú means “no” and 数 transcribed shù means “number/limit,” 好些 transcribed hǎoxiēmeaning quite a few, where 好 transcribed hǎo means “quite” and 些 transcribed xiē means “a few.” These words are often interchangeable with the A + 多 transcribed duō type.
What is the negative form of large quantity quantifiers in Mandarin Chinese?
There are some patterns to make a negative form of some of the large quantity quantifiers in Mandarin Chinese:
| Large quantity quantifier structure | Negated large quantity quantifier structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
A + 多 transcribed duō | replace A with 不 transcribed bùmeaning not | 不多 transcribed bùduōmeaning not many/much |
大 transcribed dà + A | Replace 大(多) with | 少数 transcribed shǎoshùmeaning minority |
不少 transcribed bùshǎo | Delete 不 transcribed bùmeaning not | 少 transcribed shǎomeaning few/less |
To sum up
This post discusses large quantity quantifiers in Mandarin. There are two major types: “A + 多 transcribed duō ” and “大 transcribed dà + A”. In addition to these two types, there are other quantifiers as well, such as 不少 transcribed bùshǎomeaning not a few/many, 无数 transcribed wúshùmeaning no limit/countless, and 好些 transcribed hǎoxiēmeaning quite a few. The “A + 多 transcribed duō” type of quantifiers can be reduplicated for the purpose of enhancing the degree of largeness in quantity, such as 许许多多 transcribed xǔxǔ duōduōmeaning many, many. These quantifiers have negative forms as well, mainly using 不 transcribed bùmeaning not and 少 transcribed shǎomeaning few/less.
Are you ready to take on more tasks? Click on these exercises to practice large quantity quantifiers in Mandarin Chinese.
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