xiē: 些 - Some, A Few, A Little

Keywords: xie, xiē, 些, Chinese measure word some, a few in Chinese, a little bit in Chinese, these in Chinese, those in Chinese, zhe xie, na xie, yixie, how to use xie, Chinese grammar plural

Summary: Learn how to use “些 (xiē),” one of the most essential measure words in Mandarin Chinese. This guide explains how “些” functions like “some,” “a few,” or “a little,” and how it's crucial for forming plural demonstratives like “these” (这些, zhèxiē) and “those” (那些, nàxiē). Perfect for HSK 1 learners, this page breaks down its grammar, provides practical examples, and clarifies common mistakes, such as the difference between “一些 (yīxiē)” and “一点儿 (yīdiǎnr).”

Pinyin (with tone marks): xiē

Part of Speech: Measure Word (Specifier)

HSK Level: HSK 1

Concise Definition: A measure word indicating an indefinite, plural quantity, meaning “some,” “a few,” or “a little.”

In a Nutshell: Think of `些` (xiē) as the Chinese equivalent of adding “some” or “a few” before a noun. It's a grammatical tool used to talk about a non-specific number of things. It never stands alone and must follow a number (usually `一`, one) or a demonstrative pronoun like `这` (zhè, this) or `那` (nà, that). It's the go-to word when you want to indicate “more than one, but not a specific count.”

Combining them, you can create a mnemonic: “these two” or “a couple of things here.” This hints at the idea of a small, plural quantity, which evolved into the modern meaning of “some” or “a few.”

While `些` itself is a grammatical function word, its frequent use reflects a common aspect of Chinese communication: a preference for ambiguity and indirectness in certain contexts. Instead of stating an exact number, which can sound rigid or overly precise, using `一些` (yīxiē) or `有些` (yǒuxiē) softens the tone and makes the language feel more natural and fluid.

Compare this to American/Western communication, which can sometimes prize directness and specificity. For instance, if a friend asks how many cookies you ate, responding with “a few” is common in both cultures. However, in Chinese, this level of comfortable approximation extends more broadly. You might tell a shopkeeper you want “some of these” (`要这些`, yào zhèxiē) rather than pointing and counting “I'll take three.” This grammatical feature facilitates a communication style that is less about exact figures and more about general meaning, which is a subtle but important cultural trait.

`些` is incredibly versatile and appears constantly in daily conversation.

一些 (yīxiē) - The most frequent combination, meaning “some,” “a few,” or “a little.”

这些 (zhèxiē) - Demonstrative pronoun for “these.”

那些 (nàxiē) - Demonstrative pronoun for “those.”

哪些 (nǎxiē) - Interrogative pronoun for “which ones?”

有些 (yǒuxiē) - Means “some” (as in “some people”) or “somewhat/a bit” when placed before an adjective.

一点儿 (yīdiǎnr) - A close relative meaning “a little bit,” typically used for uncountable nouns or in requests.

几 (jǐ) - Means “a few” or “several,” but implies a small, specific, countable number (usually under 10). It's also the question word for “how many?”

个 (ge) - The all-purpose measure word for counting individual items. `三个苹果` (sān ge píngguǒ) is “three apples” (specific count), while `一些苹果` (yīxiē píngguǒ) is “some apples” (indefinite count).