三五 (sān wǔ) — three or five (used to indicate an indefinite small number); a few, several
Definition
三五 literally means 'three or five' but is used as an idiom for 'a few' — a vague small number, not a precise count. Read as one word, not as the numbers 3 and 5.
numeral
three or five (used to indicate an indefinite small number)a fewseveral
Examples
- 三五。Zhè jiàn shì yào sān wǔ tiān cái néng zuò wán.This will take a few days to finish.
- 。Tā men sān wǔ chéng qún dì zǒu jìn jiào shì.They walked into the classroom in groups of three or five.
- 三五。Tā jiào le sān wǔ gè péng you lái bāng máng.He called a few friends to help.
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