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| ====== shùliàng: 数量 - Quantity, Amount ====== | ====== shùliàng: 数量 - Quantity, Amount, Number ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** shùliàng, shuliang, 数量, quantity in Chinese, amount in Chinese, how to say quantity in Mandarin, number of items Chinese, Chinese for amount, HSK 4 vocabulary | * **Keywords:** shuliang, 数量, quantity in Chinese, amount in Chinese, number of, how to use shuliang, meaning of 数量, Chinese word for quantity, HSK 4 vocabulary, 数 vs 量 |
| * **Summary:** Learn how to use **数量 (shùliàng)**, the essential Chinese word for **quantity** and **amount**. This comprehensive guide breaks down its meaning, character origins, and practical usage in everyday conversation, business, and data. With over 10 example sentences and analysis, you'll master this fundamental concept and avoid common mistakes, like confusing it with "number" (数字, shùzì). | * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and usage of **数量 (shùliàng)**, the essential Chinese word for "quantity" or "amount." This guide breaks down the characters 数 and 量, explains how to use the term in everyday conversation and business, and provides 10 practical example sentences. Discover the crucial difference between **数量 (shùliàng)** and **质量 (zhìliàng)** (quality), a fundamental concept in modern China. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shùliàng | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shùliàng |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun | * **Part of Speech:** Noun |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 |
| * **Concise Definition:** The quantity, amount, or number of something. | * **Concise Definition:** An amount or number of something; quantity. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** 数量 (shùliàng) is the go-to, neutral word for "quantity." Think of it as the answer to the question "how many?" or "how much?". It's a concrete term used to describe the total count of people, objects, or even abstract things like data. While the English word "quantity" can sometimes sound a bit formal or scientific, 数量 is used comfortably in all situations, from shopping at a market to discussing business logistics. | * **In a Nutshell:** **数量 (shùliàng)** is the go-to word when you want to talk about "how much" or "how many" of something there is. It's a straightforward, neutral term used to discuss the specific amount of items, people, data, or products. Think of it as the answer to the question "What's the quantity?". |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **数 (shù):** This character's primary meaning is "number" or "to count." It represents the mathematical aspect of the word. | * **数 (shù):** This character means "number" or "to count." It represents the mathematical aspect of the word. |
| * **量 (liàng):** This character means "amount," "capacity," or "to measure." It represents the concept of measurement or volume. | * **量 (liàng):** This character means "to measure," "capacity," or "amount." It represents the concept of measurement. |
| * When combined, **数量 (shùliàng)** literally means "counted amount" or "numbered measure," perfectly capturing the idea of a specific, quantifiable amount. | * When combined, **数量 (shùliàng)** literally means "a counted measurement" or "a numbered amount," perfectly capturing the idea of a specific quantity. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| * While 数量 (shùliàng) doesn't carry deep philosophical weight like concepts such as [[关系]] (guānxi), its usage reflects a pragmatic aspect of Chinese culture. There is often a high value placed on precision and clarity, especially in commerce and planning. Knowing the exact 数量 is crucial for everything from ordering dishes at a restaurant to fulfilling a manufacturing order. | While **数量 (shùliàng)** itself is a functional, almost technical term, its frequent use reflects a key aspect of modern Chinese society: a strong emphasis on scale, metrics, and production. In a country with the world's largest population and manufacturing sector, concepts of quantity, output, and data volume are central to business, logistics, and even social planning. |
| * In Western contexts, "quantity" is often contrasted with "quality." The same is true in Chinese, and the phrase **质量和数量 (zhìliàng hé shùliàng)**, "quality and quantity," is very common. However, the term 数量 itself is more frequently and neutrally used in daily Chinese conversation than "quantity" is in English. An English speaker might ask "How many do you need?", whereas a Chinese speaker could naturally ask about the `数量` in the same informal context. | A common phrase you'll hear is **“质量比数量更重要” (zhìliàng bǐ shùliàng gèng zhòngyào)**, meaning "Quality is more important than quantity." This isn't just a business slogan; it reflects China's ongoing economic and social shift from a model focused purely on mass production (**数量**) to one that prioritizes high-quality goods and services (**质量**). |
| | Compared to English, where one might vaguely say "a lot of people," Chinese communication in formal or business contexts often prefers the precision that **数量 (shùliàng)** implies. Stating the exact **数量** demonstrates clarity and preparedness. |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| * **Everyday Conversation:** Used when asking about or stating the number of items. It's common in shopping, planning, and general discussion. | **数量 (shùliàng)** is a versatile noun used across many contexts, from casual shopping to formal business reports. |
| * **Business and Logistics:** Absolutely essential in business for discussing orders, inventory, production capacity, and sales figures. For example, `订单数量` (dìngdān shùliàng) means "order quantity." | * **In Business and Manufacturing:** It's used constantly to refer to order quantities, production volume (**产量 - chǎnliàng**), and inventory. It is formal and precise. |
| * **Data and Academics:** Used to refer to the amount of data, the number of participants in a study, or any other numerical value in a formal report. | * **In Daily Conversation:** It's used when asking about or stating the amount of something, for example, the number of guests attending an event or the amount of ingredients in a recipe. |
| * **Connotation:** 数量 is a neutral term. It simply states a fact. Adjectives like `大 (dà)` for large or `小 (xiǎo)` for small are used to describe the quantity. | * **In Data and Tech:** It refers to the amount of data, the number of users, or the quantity of items in a database. |
| | * **As a Modifier:** It can be used before another noun (like **问题 - wèntí**) to mean "a quantity issue" or "a problem related to the amount." |
| | Its connotation is generally neutral. The focus is on the objective fact of the number, not whether it's good or bad (unless modified by adjectives like **大 (dà)** - large or **小 (xiǎo)** - small). |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * 我们需要确认一下订单的**数量**。 | * 请确认一下订单的**数量**。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào quèrèn yīxià dìngdān de **shùliàng**. | * Pinyin: Qǐng quèrèn yīxià dìngdān de **shùliàng**. |
| * English: We need to confirm the order quantity. | * English: Please confirm the quantity of the order. |
| * Analysis: A classic business use case. Here, 数量 functions as the direct object, referring to the "quantity" of the `订单` (order). | * Analysis: A very common and polite phrase in a business context. **确认 (què-rèn)** means "to confirm." |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 今年公司的利润**数量**有了很大的增长。 | * 今年我们公司的产品**数量**增加了很多。 |
| * Pinyin: Jīnnián gōngsī de lìrùn **shùliàng** yǒu le hěn dà de zēngzhǎng. | * Pinyin: Jīnnián wǒmen gōngsī de chǎnpǐn **shùliàng** zēngjiā le hěn duō. |
| * English: The amount of the company's profit has grown significantly this year. | * English: Our company's product quantity has increased a lot this year. |
| * Analysis: This shows 数量 can be used for abstract concepts like `利润` (profit), not just physical objects. | * Analysis: Here, **数量** is the subject of the verb **增加 (zēngjiā)**, "to increase." |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 参加活动的人员**数量**是多少？ | * 质量比**数量**更重要。 |
| * Pinyin: Cānjiā huódòng de rényuán **shùliàng** shì duōshao? | * Pinyin: Zhìliàng bǐ **shùliàng** gèng zhòngyào. |
| * English: What is the number of people participating in the event? | * English: Quality is more important than quantity. |
| * Analysis: A standard question format. `多少 (duōshao)` is used to ask about the `数量` (quantity). | * Analysis: This is a classic saying and a fundamental concept. **质量 (zhìliàng)** is "quality," the direct counterpart to **数量**. |
| * **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| * 由于**数量**有限，先到先得。 | * 由于**数量**有限，每人限购一件。 |
| * Pinyin: Yóuyú **shùliàng** yǒuxiàn, xiān dào xiān dé. | * Pinyin: Yóuyú **shùliàng** yǒuxiàn, měi rén xiàngòu yī jiàn. |
| * English: Due to the limited quantity, it's first come, first served. | * English: Due to the limited quantity, each person is restricted to buying one item. |
| * Analysis: A very common phrase in sales and promotions. `数量有限` (shùliàng yǒuxiàn) literally means "quantity is limited." | * Analysis: A phrase often seen during sales or for limited-edition products. **有限 (yǒuxiàn)** means "limited." |
| * **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
| * 我们不应该只追求**数量**，更要重视质量。 | * 参与者的**数量**超出了我们的预期。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi zhǐ zhuīqiú **shùliàng**, gèng yào zhòngshì zhìliàng. | * Pinyin: Cānyùzhě de **shùliàng** chāochū le wǒmen de yùqī. |
| * English: We shouldn't only pursue quantity, but more importantly, value quality. | * English: The number of participants exceeded our expectations. |
| * Analysis: This demonstrates the common pairing of `数量` (quantity) and `质量` (zhìliàng - quality). | * Analysis: **数量** is used here to refer to a number of people. **参与者 (cānyùzhě)** means "participant." |
| * **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
| * 这次考试中，答对问题的**数量**决定了你的分数。 | * 这个仓库可以储存大量**数量**的货物。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì zhōng, dá duì wèntí de **shùliàng** juédìng le nǐ de fēnshù. | * Pinyin: Zhège cāngkù kěyǐ chǔcún dàliàng **shùliàng** de huòwù. |
| * English: In this exam, the quantity of correctly answered questions determines your score. | * English: This warehouse can store a large quantity of goods. |
| * Analysis: Shows how 数量 can be the subject of a sentence, acting as the deciding factor. | * Analysis: Note the use of **大量 (dàliàng)**, meaning "a large amount," to describe **数量**. While slightly redundant, this phrasing is common for emphasis. You could also just say **大量货物 (dàliàng huòwù)**. |
| * **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
| * 仓库里的存货**数量**不足。 | * 你需要什么**数量**？ |
| * Pinyin: Cāngkù lǐ de cúnhuò **shùliàng** bùzú. | * Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào shénme **shùliàng**? |
| * English: The quantity of stock in the warehouse is insufficient. | * English: What quantity do you need? |
| * Analysis: `不足` (bùzú) is a formal way to say "not enough" or "insufficient," often used with 数量 in business or inventory contexts. | * Analysis: A direct and simple question used in contexts like shopping or placing an order. |
| * **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
| * 请把这些苹果的**数量**数一下。 | * 统计一下到场人员的**数量**。 |
| * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē píngguǒ de **shùliàng** shǔ yī shǔ. | * Pinyin: Tǒngjì yīxià dàochǎng rényuán de **shùliàng**. |
| * English: Please count the quantity of these apples. | * English: Tally up the number of people present. |
| * Analysis: This sentence cleverly uses both characters from the word separately: `数量` (shùliàng) as the noun "quantity" and `数` (shǔ) as the verb "to count." | * Analysis: **统计 (tǒngjì)** means "to gather statistics" or "to count up," a verb that pairs perfectly with **数量**. |
| * **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
| * 随着移民**数量**的增加，这个城市变得更加多元化。 | * 我们遇到了一个**数量**问题，库存不够了。 |
| * Pinyin: Suízhe yímín **shùliàng** de zēngjiā, zhège chéngshì biànde gèngjiā duōyuánhuà. | * Pinyin: Wǒmen yùdào le yī ge **shùliàng** wèntí, kùcún bùgòu le. |
| * English: As the number of immigrants increases, this city has become more diverse. | * English: We've encountered a quantity problem; the inventory isn't enough. |
| * Analysis: `增加` (zēngjiā - to increase) is a verb frequently paired with 数量. | * Analysis: Here, **数量** acts as an adjective to describe **问题 (wèntí)**, "problem." |
| * **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
| * 产品的**数量**和价格都在这张表格里。 | * 随着**数量**的减少，价格开始上涨。 |
| * Pinyin: Chǎnpǐn de **shùliàng** hé jiàgé dōu zài zhè zhāng biǎogé lǐ. | * Pinyin: Suízhe **shùliàng** de jiǎnshǎo, jiàgé kāishǐ shàngzhǎng. |
| * English: The product quantities and prices are all in this form. | * English: As the quantity decreased, the price began to rise. |
| * Analysis: A simple, practical sentence demonstrating how 数量 is a key piece of information alongside `价格` (price). | * Analysis: This sentence demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship involving **数量**, common in economics or business discussions. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| * **`数量` (shùliàng) vs. `数字` (shùzì):** This is the most common point of confusion for learners. | * **数量 (shùliàng) vs. 数字 (shùzì):** This is the most common point of confusion. |
| * **`数量` (shùliàng)** is the //amount// of something. It answers "how many?". | * **数量 (shùliàng)** refers to the //amount// or //quantity// of something. It answers "how many?". |
| * **`数字` (shùzì)** is the //numeral// or //figure// itself—the symbol for a number. | * **数字 (shùzì)** refers to the //digit// or //numeral// itself—the symbol used for counting (e.g., 8, 九, 100). |
| * **Correct:** 这本书的**数量**是三本。(Zhè běn shū de **shùliàng** shì sān běn.) - The **quantity** of these books is three. | * **Correct:** 参加会议的**数量**是二十人。(Cānjiā huìyì de **shùliàng** shì èrshí rén.) - The **quantity** of attendees is 20 people. |
| * **Correct:** 我最喜欢的**数字**是“8”。(Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de **shùzì** shì "bā".) - My favorite **number** (numeral) is "8". | * **Incorrect:** 参加会议的**数字**是二十人。 |
| * **Incorrect:** 我最喜欢的**数量**是“8”。(This would mean "My favorite quantity is 8," which is illogical). | * **Correct:** "8" 是一个幸运**数字**。(Bā shì yī ge xìngyùn **shùzì**.) - "8" is a lucky **number** (digit). |
| * **`数量` (shùliàng) vs. `号码` (hàomǎ):** | * **Incorrect:** "8" 是一个幸运**数量**。 |
| * Use **`号码` (hàomǎ)** for identifying numbers like phone numbers, room numbers, or license plate numbers. | * **Don't overuse 数量:** In simple counting, use a number and a measure word. |
| * **Correct:** 我的电话**号码**是 12345678。(Wǒ de diànhuà **hàomǎ** shì...) - My phone **number** is 12345678. | * **Correct:** 我有三本书。(Wǒ yǒu sān běn shū.) - I have three books. |
| * **Incorrect:** 我的电话**数量**是... (This means "My phone quantity is...," which makes no sense). | * **Awkward/Incorrect:** 我的书**数量**是三。(Wǒ de shū **shùliàng** shì sān.) - The quantity of my books is three. (This is grammatically okay but very unnatural, like saying "The quantity of my children is two" instead of "I have two children.") You use **数量** when you are specifically discussing the //concept// of quantity itself. |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * [[多少]] (duōshao) - The question word ("how many/much") used to ask about `数量`. | * [[质量]] (zhìliàng) - Quality. The direct counterpart to **数量**, these two terms are often used together to discuss the trade-offs between quantity and quality. |
| * [[数字]] (shùzì) - A numeral or figure (e.g., "5", "8", "9"), distinct from the quantity of items. | * [[多少]] (duōshao) - How much; how many. This is the question word used to ask about the **数量**. |
| * [[质量]] (zhìliàng) - The direct counterpart to `数量`: "quality." | * [[数字]] (shùzì) - Number; digit; figure. Refers to the symbol, not the amount. |
| * [[大量]] (dàliàng) - A large quantity of; a great amount. Used to describe a large `数量`. | * [[号码]] (hàomǎ) - Number (as an identifier). Used for phone numbers, room numbers, and ticket numbers. |
| * [[少数]] (shǎoshù) - A small number; a minority. | * [[数目]] (shùmù) - A more formal or literary synonym for **数量**, often used in written reports or financial contexts to mean "amount" or "sum." |
| * [[多数]] (duōshù) - A large number; a majority. | * [[大量]] (dàliàng) - A large quantity; a great amount. An adjective/adverb used to describe a large **数量**. |
| * [[总数]] (zǒngshù) - The total number; the sum total. | * [[少量]] (shǎoliàng) - A small quantity; a small amount. The antonym of **大量**. |
| * [[号码]] (hàomǎ) - "Number" in the sense of a code or identifier (e.g., phone number). | * [[产量]] (chǎnliàng) - Output; yield. Specifically refers to production quantity. |
| * [[数量词]] (shùliàngcí) - The grammatical term for "quantifier" or "measure word," which is essential for expressing `数量` in Chinese. | * [[数量词]] (shùliàngcí) - Measure word; classifier. The grammatical term for words like 个 (ge), 本 (běn), and 张 (zhāng) that are essential for counting in Chinese. |