不少

• Pinyin: bù shǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 (bù) — not; 少 (shǎo) — few, little, small in quantity

Meaning

Quite a lot; not few; many. A common understated way to express 'many' or 'a lot.'

Indicates a considerable number or amount, often implying more than expected. Used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

Examples

1. 他已经积累了不少工作经验。 He has already accumulated quite a lot of work experience.
2. 这条街上有不少好吃的小吃店。 There are quite a few good snack shops on this street.
3. 我认识不少在北京生活的外国朋友。 I know quite a lot of foreign friends living in Beijing.

Usage Guide

Context: quantity, accumulation, descriptions, everyday speech

Tone: neutral, understated

Do Say

• 他学了不少新词。(He has learned quite a few new words.)
• 不少人都喜欢这部电影。(Quite a lot of people like this film.)

Don't Say

• Avoid using 不少 in very formal statistical or official writing — use 许多 or 大量 for precision; 不少 is more conversational.

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (bù, not) + 少 (shǎo, few, little). Literally 'not few,' functioning as a mild intensifier.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal