How to express an uncertain quantity in Chinese
There are several ways to express an uncertain quantity in Chinese.
The pronoun 几
We use 几 
when referring to a number less than 10. We must use a measure word after 几.
when referring to a number less than 10. We must use a measure word after 几.Scheme
几
measure word
noun
Examples
几个人
several people
jǐ ge rén
几本汉语书
a few Chinese books
jǐ běn hànyǔ shū
If 几 comes after 十 or another round number, 几 denotes an approximate number of ones: “ten-plus something”, “twenty-plus something”.
or another round number, 几 denotes an approximate number of ones: “ten-plus something”, “twenty-plus something”.Scheme
十
几
measure word
noun
Pay attention
Here 几 refers to a number from 1 to 9.
Examples
十几个工人
a dozen or so workers
shíjĭ ge gōngrén
To say “several dozens” or “several thousands”, we should put 几 before the numeral.
Scheme
几
十/百/千
measure word
noun
Examples
几百户人家
several hundred families
jǐbǎi hù rénjia
几十米
dozens of meters
jĭshí mĭ
The measure word 些
We use the measure word 些 to express the plural without specifying the exact quantity. Therefore, we do not say any numerals but use demonstrative pronouns 这 or 那 .
to express the plural without specifying the exact quantity. Therefore, we do not say any numerals but use demonstrative pronouns 这 or 那 . Pay attention
We should use 些 with countable nouns.
Scheme
这/那
些
noun
Examples
这些鱼常常生吃
These fish are often eaten raw
zhèxiē yú chángcháng shēng chī
那些人是谁？
Who are those people?
nàxiē rén shì shéi
We also can use 些 in the combinations 一些 and 有些 . They can be used on their own without numerals or demonstrative pronouns.
and 有些 . They can be used on their own without numerals or demonstrative pronouns. Pay attention
有些 can be used before countable nouns and, most often, is stated at the beginning of a sentence.
Examples
有些树已经开始落叶了
Some trees have already started to lose their leaves
yǒuxiē shù yǐjīng kāishǐ luòyè le
有些事我们不能讨论
There are some things we can't discuss
yǒuxiē shì wǒmen bù néng tǎolùn
Also, 有些 can be used before verbs and mean “a little bit”.
Examples
她有些担心
She worries a little bit
tā yǒuxiē dānxīn
We should use 一些 before nouns. Nouns can be either countable or uncountable.
Pay attention
Most often 一些 is shortened to 些.
Examples
我想喝些果汁
I would like to drink some juice
wǒ xiǎng hē xiē guǒzhī
我还有一些问题
I have a few more questions
wǒ hái yǒu yìxiē wèntí
Words “much”, “little”
To express an uncertain quantity we also can use words like “much” or “little” before a noun:
一点 , 有点
很少
很多
大部分
, 有点
很少
很多
大部分 Pay attention
Words 一点 and 有点 are often used with erization — 一点儿 , 有点儿 .
, 有点儿 .Examples
大部分孩子都玩网络游戏
Most children play online games
dàbùfen háizi dōu wán wăngluò yóuxì
我认识很多人
I know a lot of people
wŏ rènshi hĕn duō rén
我会一点儿汉语
I know a little bit of Chinese
wǒ huì yìdiǎnr hànyǔ
Sometimes we can say a doubled version as 一点点, which means “just a little bit” and emphasizes a small amount.
Examples
只要有一点点运气，他们就会赢
With just a little bit of luck, they'll win
zhǐyào yǒu yìdiǎndiǎn yùnqì, tāmen jiù huì yíng