HSK 3 · VERSION 2.0#32
Approximating with Sequential Numbers
三四 / 七八 / 一两
How it works
Two close numbers together can express an approximate small range.
The pattern
Number 1 + Number 2 + Measure Word / Noun
Example sentences
我等了三四分钟。
I waited for three or four minutes.
桌子上有七八本书。
There are seven or eight books on the table.
他买了一两斤苹果。
He bought one or two jin of apples.
Usage note
This is a natural spoken way to say “about” a small number.