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一二 (yī èr) — one or two; a few; a little (bit)

Definition

一二 (yī èr) is a fixed colloquial phrase meaning 'a little, a few' — used for small amounts, not literally 1 or 2. It softens statements, as in 'I only know a little'.

numeral
one or twoa fewa little (bit)

Examples

  • ，一二。
    Guān yú zhè ge wèn tí, wǒ zhī zhī dào yī èr.
    I only know a little about this issue.
  • 一二。
    Tā jiā lǐ yǒu yī èr běn shū.
    There are a few books in his home.
  • 一二，。
    Zhè jiàn shì wǒ zhī liǎo jiě yī èr, bú tài qīng chǔ.
    I only know a little about this matter, not too clear.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

一yīone
二èrtwo

一 and 二 stand side by side, so the word means one or two, hence a few or a little.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

二 is drawn as two parallel strokes, where the number of strokes shows the amount.

Open 二 →
Appears in
Medicine & Treatment

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