2.2 Indicating Quantity

When we indicate the quantity of something, we need to put a classifier between the number and the noun. In this book, we will use CL to indicate a classifier in English translations.

Number
Classifier
Noun

jat1
one

bun2
CL

syu1
book
one book

saam1
three

go3
CL
朋友
pang4 jau5
friend
three friends

To mean ‘several’, we can use the word gei2. 幾 gei2 usually refers to a quantity between 3 and 9 inclusive.

Number
Classifier
Noun

gei2
several

bun2
CL

syu1
book
several books

gei2
several

go3
CL
朋友
pang4 jau5
friend
several friends