大约 dàyuē approximately
approximately; about
How to remember 大约: 大 big + 约 make an appointment = approximately.
Characters
How it is used
- Approximately / about, for estimates - 大约十点 (dàyuē shí diǎn) around ten o'clock, 大约五十人 about fifty people.
- It goes before the number/time. Near-synonym 左右 (zuǒyòu) goes after: 五十人左右; you'd say 大约五十人 or 五十人左右, not both together.
- 差不多 (chàbuduō) also means 'about', but is more colloquial and can mean 'nearly/almost'; 大约 is a neutral estimate.
Example sentences
- 这个男孩大约六岁。 Zhège nánháir dàyuē liù suì.The boy is about six years old.
- 你能以大约1000日元买下它。 Nǐ néng yǐ dàyuē 1000rìyuán mǎixià tā.You can buy it for a thousand yen or so.
- 一英里大约是1600米。 Yīyīnglǐ dàyuē shì 1600mǐ.A mile is about 1,600 meters.