shùliàng: 数量 - Quantity, Amount, Number

• 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 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.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shùliàng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: An amount or number of something; quantity.
• 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?”.

• 数 (shù): This character means “number” or “to count.” It represents the mathematical aspect of the word.
• 量 (liàng): This character means “to measure,” “capacity,” or “amount.” It represents the concept of measurement.
• When combined, 数量 (shùliàng) literally means “a counted measurement” or “a numbered amount,” perfectly capturing the idea of a specific quantity.

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. 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.

数量 (shùliàng) is a versatile noun used across many contexts, from casual shopping to formal business reports.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 1:
  • 请确认一下订单的数量。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng quèrèn yīxià dìngdān de shùliàng.
  • English: Please confirm the quantity of the order.
  • Analysis: A very common and polite phrase in a business context. 确认 (què-rèn) means “to confirm.”
• Example 2:
  • 今年我们公司的产品数量增加了很多。
  • Pinyin: Jīnnián wǒmen gōngsī de chǎnpǐn shùliàng zēngjiā le hěn duō.
  • English: Our company's product quantity has increased a lot this year.
  • Analysis: Here, 数量 is the subject of the verb 增加 (zēngjiā), “to increase.”
• Example 3:
  • 质量比数量更重要。
  • Pinyin: Zhìliàng bǐ shùliàng gèng zhòngyào.
  • English: Quality is more important than quantity.
  • Analysis: This is a classic saying and a fundamental concept. 质量 (zhìliàng) is “quality,” the direct counterpart to 数量.
• Example 4:
  • 由于数量有限，每人限购一件。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú shùliàng yǒuxiàn, měi rén xiàngòu yī jiàn.
  • English: Due to the limited quantity, each person is restricted to buying one item.
  • Analysis: A phrase often seen during sales or for limited-edition products. 有限 (yǒuxiàn) means “limited.”
• Example 5:
  • 参与者的数量超出了我们的预期。
  • Pinyin: Cānyùzhě de shùliàng chāochū le wǒmen de yùqī.
  • English: The number of participants exceeded our expectations.
  • Analysis: 数量 is used here to refer to a number of people. 参与者 (cānyùzhě) means “participant.”
• Example 6:
  • 这个仓库可以储存大量数量的货物。
  • Pinyin: Zhège cāngkù kěyǐ chǔcún dàliàng shùliàng de huòwù.
  • English: This warehouse can store a large quantity of goods.
  • 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:
  • 你需要什么数量？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào shénme shùliàng?
  • English: What quantity do you need?
  • Analysis: A direct and simple question used in contexts like shopping or placing an order.
• Example 8:
  • 统计一下到场人员的数量。
  • Pinyin: Tǒngjì yīxià dàochǎng rényuán de shùliàng.
  • English: Tally up the number of people present.
  • Analysis: 统计 (tǒngjì) means “to gather statistics” or “to count up,” a verb that pairs perfectly with 数量.
• Example 9:
  • 我们遇到了一个数量问题，库存不够了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yùdào le yī ge shùliàng wèntí, kùcún bùgòu le.
  • English: We've encountered a quantity problem; the inventory isn't enough.
  • Analysis: Here, 数量 acts as an adjective to describe 问题 (wèntí), “problem.”
• Example 10:
  • 随着数量的减少，价格开始上涨。
  • Pinyin: Suízhe shùliàng de jiǎnshǎo, jiàgé kāishǐ shàngzhǎng.
  • English: As the quantity decreased, the price began to rise.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates a cause-and-effect relationship involving 数量, common in economics or business discussions.

• 数量 (shùliàng) vs. 数字 (shùzì): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 数量 (shùliàng) refers to the amount or quantity of something. It answers “how many?”.
  • 数字 (shùzì) refers to the digit or numeral itself—the symbol used for counting (e.g., 8, 九, 100).
  • 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.
  • Incorrect: 参加会议的数字是二十人。
  • Correct: “8” 是一个幸运数字。(Bā shì yī ge xìngyùn shùzì.) - “8” is a lucky number (digit).
  • Incorrect: “8” 是一个幸运数量。
• Don't overuse 数量: In simple counting, use a number and a measure word.
  • Correct: 我有三本书。(Wǒ yǒu sān běn shū.) - I have three books.
  • 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.

• 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.
• 多少 (duōshao) - How much; how many. This is the question word used to ask about the 数量.
• 数字 (shùzì) - Number; digit; figure. Refers to the symbol, not the amount.
• 号码 (hàomǎ) - Number (as an identifier). Used for phone numbers, room numbers, and ticket numbers.
• 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.”
• 大量 (dàliàng) - A large quantity; a great amount. An adjective/adverb used to describe a large 数量.
• 少量 (shǎoliàng) - A small quantity; a small amount. The antonym of 大量.
• 产量 (chǎnliàng) - Output; yield. Specifically refers to production quantity.
• 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.