Approximate number with lái

Grammar Point:
In Chinese, the word 來来 lái can be used to indicate an approximate number when paired with a quantifier or measure word. This usage implies an estimation or approximation rather than an exact count.

Structure

Approximate Number + lái + MW + (N)

大約dàyuē十shí來lái個ge人rén大约dàyuē十shí来lái个ge人rén
About ten people.

他tā身高shēngāo一百yìbǎi八十bāshí來lái公分gōngfēn他tā身高shēngāo一百yìbǎi八十bāshí来lái公分gōngfēn
His height is about 180 centimeters.

我wǒ家jiā有yǒu五十wǔshí來lái本běn書shū我wǒ家jiā有yǒu五十wǔshí来lái本běn书shū
There are about fifty books in my house.

你nǐ二十èrshí來lái顆kē草莓cǎoméi就jiù要yào賣mài1000 塊kuài錢qián也yě太tài貴guì了le吧ba！ 你nǐ二十èrshí来lái颗kē草莓cǎoméi就jiù要yào卖mài1000 块kuài钱qián也yě太tài贵guì了le吧ba！
Selling twenty-something strawberries for 1000 dollars is too expensive!

算一算suànyísuàn我wǒ已經yǐjīng三十sānshí來lái年nián沒méi回家huíjiā了le算一算suànyísuàn我wǒ已经yǐjīng三十sānshí来lái年nián没méi回家huíjiā了le
I reckon it’s been about thirty years since I last went home.

那nà位wèi奶奶nǎinai應該yīnggāi有yǒu七十qīshí來lái歲suì那nà位wèi奶奶nǎinai应该yīnggāi有yǒu七十qīshí来lái岁suì
That grandma should be about seventy years old.

FYI
In Taiwan, seniors aged 65 and above are offered a variety of government-subsidized free courses, including health promotion, leisure activities, arts, humanities, and life education. These courses aim to keep them active and engaged. Organized by local governments or social welfare organizations, these courses provide opportunities for seniors to continue learning and participate in social activities. Additionally, there are transportation subsidies, monthly allowances, and regular health checks to ensure their well-being.

Practice

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✔️ They have about thirty cats at home.

他tā家jiā有yǒu三十sānshí來lái隻zhī貓māo他tā家jiā有yǒu三十sānshí来lái只zhǐ猫māo

✔️ This novel probably has about five hundred thousand words.

這zhè本běn小說xiǎoshuō大概dàgài有yǒu五十wǔshí來lái萬wàn字zì这zhè本běn小说xiǎoshuō大概dàgài有yǒu五十wǔshí来lái万wàn字zì

✔️ The dishes at this restaurant cost around thirty dollars each.

這zhè個ge餐廳cāntīng的de菜價càijià差不多chābùduō三十sānshí來lái塊kuài錢qián这zhè个ge餐厅cāntīng的de菜价càijià差不多chàbùduō三十sānshí来lái块kuài钱qián

• Approximate Number with 大約约 dàyuē (HSK 3)

• Approximate Number with 幾几 jǐ (HSK 3)