些

xiē

二 + 此

HSK 2.0Level 1

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

xiē (adjective) some; a few; several

xiē (adjective) small amount greater than 1

Etymology phono-semantic

two

Semantic: 二 Phonetic: 此

About

些 is composed of 此 (meaning 'this' or 'here', and functioning as the phonetic) placed above 二 (the number two). The two contributes a sense of a small plural amount, not a single item. Together they create a measure word for an indefinite but relatively small quantity: 'some', 'a few', or 'a little bit'. This character commonly combines with demonstratives to make plural forms like 'these' and 'those', and attaches to adjectives to mark a slight degree of comparison.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请给我一些水。

Qǐng gěi wǒ yīxiē shuǐ.

Please give me some water.

这些书很有趣。

Zhèxiē shū hěn yǒuqù.

These books are very interesting.

那些花很漂亮。

Nàxiē huā hěn piàoliang.

Those flowers are very beautiful.

我买了一些水果。

Wǒ mǎile yīxiē shuǐguǒ.

I bought some fruits.

他吃了一些面包和牛奶。

Tā chīle yīxiē miànbāo hé niúnǎi.

He ate some bread and milk.

我们需要准备些礼物。

Wǒmen xūyào zhǔnbèi xiē lǐwù.

We need to prepare some gifts.

这些天天气很好。

Zhèxiē tiān tiānqì hěn hǎo.

These days the weather is very good.

他告诉我一些重要的事情。

Tā gàosù wǒ yīxiē zhòngyào de shìqíng.

He told me some important things.

Related Characters

Component: 二

Component: 此

些