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好几 (hǎo jǐ) — quite a few, a good many (followed by a measure word); (after a number) odd, more than

Definition

Modifies a measure word or number to mean 'quite a few' or 'a little more than' (e.g. 好几个 = quite a few; 三十好几 = thirty-odd). Note: listed as noun but functions as a quantifier/determiner.

noun
quite a fewa good many (followed by a measure word)(after a number) oddmore than

Examples

  • 好几。
    Tā mǎi le hǎo jǐ běn shū.
    He bought quite a few books.
  • 好几。
    Tā sān shí hǎo jǐ suì le.
    He's over thirty years old.
  • 好几。
    Jiào shì lǐ zuò zhe hǎo jǐ gè rén.
    There are quite a few people sitting in the classroom.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

好 joins 女 (woman) and 子 (child), understood as a woman with a child, linked to goodness or affection.

Open 好 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 幾; 几 is its simplified writing.

  • 𢆶𢆶𢆶silk threads; little things
  • 戍戍shùto guard against

The traditional form 幾 puts 𢆶 (silk threads; little things) and 戍 (to guard against) together to show watching over the fine details; the simplified 几 is a later abbreviation.

Open 几 →

Grammar

Appears in
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