些

• Pinyin: xiē
• Hanzi breakdown: 些 = 此 (this) + 二 (two) — originally 'a couple of these,' now meaning 'some'

Meaning

Some; a few; a number of. Used as a measure word indicating an indefinite, relatively small quantity.

Always used with a demonstrative or number: 一些 (some), 这些 (these), 那些 (those), 有些 (some). Cannot stand alone as a pronoun. Very common in everyday speech. 一些 is the most frequent combination, implying 'a small, unspecified number or amount.'

Examples

1. 我买了一些水果，放在桌子上，你可以吃。 I bought some fruit and left it on the table — feel free to eat it.
2. 这些问题有些难，有些比较容易。 Some of these questions are difficult, and some are relatively easy.
3. 她遇到了一些困难，但最后还是解决了。 She encountered some difficulties but eventually resolved them.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, all contexts

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我有些问题想请教你。(I have some questions I'd like to ask you.)
• 冰箱里还有些剩菜，你要不要吃？(There are still some leftovers in the fridge — would you like to eat them?)

Don't Say

• 单独用些作为名词或代词。(Don't use 些 alone as a noun or pronoun — it must be used with a demonstrative or number, such as 一些, 这些, or 那些.)

Origin & History

Composed of 此 (this/here) and 二 (two), originally suggesting 'a couple of these things here,' evolving to mean 'some.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal