成百 (chéng bǎi) — hundreds of (a large but approximate number) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Hundreds of — an approximate, emphatic number used in front of a measure word (e.g. 成百名, 成百本). Pairs with 上千 to mean 'hundreds upon thousands'.

numeral

hundreds of (a large but approximate number)

Examples

。
Guǎng chǎng shàng jù jí le chéng bǎi shàng qiān de qún zhòng.
Hundreds upon thousands of people gathered in the square.
成百。
Zhè cì huó dòng xī yǐn le chéng bǎi míng zhì yuàn zhě cān jiā.
This event attracted hundreds of volunteers to participate.
成百，。
Tā shōu cáng le chéng bǎi běn gǔ jí, jià zhí lián chéng.
He has collected hundreds of ancient books, which are priceless.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

百bǎihundred

成 suggests forming and 百 is hundred, together expressing hundreds.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

丁

丁dīng成chéng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

成 puts 戊, a weapon, beside 丁, which gives the sound. The weapon part relates to protection, as in the old sense of city walls.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

一白百

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

白

白bái百bǎi

Same sound today

百 combines 一, which carries the number meaning, with 白, which provides the sound.

Appears in

Numbers & Counting

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