数量

This is an old revision of the document!

shùliàng: 数量 - Quantity, Amount

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: shùliàng, shuliang, 数量, quantity in Chinese, amount in Chinese, how to say quantity in Mandarin, number of items Chinese, Chinese for amount, HSK 4 vocabulary
  • Summary: Learn how to use 数量 (shùliàng), the essential Chinese word for quantity and amount. This comprehensive guide breaks down its meaning, character origins, and practical usage in everyday conversation, business, and data. With over 10 example sentences and analysis, you'll master this fundamental concept and avoid common mistakes, like confusing it with “number” (数字, shùzì).

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): shùliàng
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: The quantity, amount, or number of something.
  • In a Nutshell: 数量 (shùliàng) is the go-to, neutral word for “quantity.” Think of it as the answer to the question “how many?” or “how much?”. It's a concrete term used to describe the total count of people, objects, or even abstract things like data. While the English word “quantity” can sometimes sound a bit formal or scientific, 数量 is used comfortably in all situations, from shopping at a market to discussing business logistics.

Character Breakdown

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

Cultural Context and Significance

  • While 数量 (shùliàng) doesn't carry deep philosophical weight like concepts such as 关系 (guānxi), its usage reflects a pragmatic aspect of Chinese culture. There is often a high value placed on precision and clarity, especially in commerce and planning. Knowing the exact 数量 is crucial for everything from ordering dishes at a restaurant to fulfilling a manufacturing order.
  • In Western contexts, “quantity” is often contrasted with “quality.” The same is true in Chinese, and the phrase 质量和数量 (zhìliàng hé shùliàng), “quality and quantity,” is very common. However, the term 数量 itself is more frequently and neutrally used in daily Chinese conversation than “quantity” is in English. An English speaker might ask “How many do you need?”, whereas a Chinese speaker could naturally ask about the `数量` in the same informal context.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Everyday Conversation: Used when asking about or stating the number of items. It's common in shopping, planning, and general discussion.
  • Business and Logistics: Absolutely essential in business for discussing orders, inventory, production capacity, and sales figures. For example, `订单数量` (dìngdān shùliàng) means “order quantity.”
  • Data and Academics: Used to refer to the amount of data, the number of participants in a study, or any other numerical value in a formal report.
  • Connotation: 数量 is a neutral term. It simply states a fact. Adjectives like `大 (dà)` for large or `小 (xiǎo)` for small are used to describe the quantity.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我们需要确认一下订单的数量。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào quèrèn yīxià dìngdān de shùliàng.
    • English: We need to confirm the order quantity.
    • Analysis: A classic business use case. Here, 数量 functions as the direct object, referring to the “quantity” of the `订单` (order).
  • Example 2:
    • 今年公司的利润数量有了很大的增长。
    • Pinyin: Jīnnián gōngsī de lìrùn shùliàng yǒu le hěn dà de zēngzhǎng.
    • English: The amount of the company's profit has grown significantly this year.
    • Analysis: This shows 数量 can be used for abstract concepts like `利润` (profit), not just physical objects.
  • Example 3:
    • 参加活动的人员数量是多少？
    • Pinyin: Cānjiā huódòng de rényuán shùliàng shì duōshao?
    • English: What is the number of people participating in the event?
    • Analysis: A standard question format. `多少 (duōshao)` is used to ask about the `数量` (quantity).
  • Example 4:
    • 由于数量有限，先到先得。
    • Pinyin: Yóuyú shùliàng yǒuxiàn, xiān dào xiān dé.
    • English: Due to the limited quantity, it's first come, first served.
    • Analysis: A very common phrase in sales and promotions. `数量有限` (shùliàng yǒuxiàn) literally means “quantity is limited.”
  • Example 5:
    • 我们不应该只追求数量，更要重视质量。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi zhǐ zhuīqiú shùliàng, gèng yào zhòngshì zhìliàng.
    • English: We shouldn't only pursue quantity, but more importantly, value quality.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the common pairing of `数量` (quantity) and `质量` (zhìliàng - quality).
  • Example 6:
    • 这次考试中，答对问题的数量决定了你的分数。
    • Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì zhōng, dá duì wèntí de shùliàng juédìng le nǐ de fēnshù.
    • English: In this exam, the quantity of correctly answered questions determines your score.
    • Analysis: Shows how 数量 can be the subject of a sentence, acting as the deciding factor.
  • Example 7:
    • 仓库里的存货数量不足。
    • Pinyin: Cāngkù lǐ de cúnhuò shùliàng bùzú.
    • English: The quantity of stock in the warehouse is insufficient.
    • Analysis: `不足` (bùzú) is a formal way to say “not enough” or “insufficient,” often used with 数量 in business or inventory contexts.
  • Example 8:
    • 请把这些苹果的数量数一下。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē píngguǒ de shùliàng shǔ yī shǔ.
    • English: Please count the quantity of these apples.
    • Analysis: This sentence cleverly uses both characters from the word separately: `数量` (shùliàng) as the noun “quantity” and `数` (shǔ) as the verb “to count.”
  • Example 9:
    • 随着移民数量的增加，这个城市变得更加多元化。
    • Pinyin: Suízhe yímín shùliàng de zēngjiā, zhège chéngshì biànde gèngjiā duōyuánhuà.
    • English: As the number of immigrants increases, this city has become more diverse.
    • Analysis: `增加` (zēngjiā - to increase) is a verb frequently paired with 数量.
  • Example 10:
    • 产品的数量和价格都在这张表格里。
    • Pinyin: Chǎnpǐn de shùliàng hé jiàgé dōu zài zhè zhāng biǎogé lǐ.
    • English: The product quantities and prices are all in this form.
    • Analysis: A simple, practical sentence demonstrating how 数量 is a key piece of information alongside `价格` (price).

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `数量` (shùliàng) vs. `数字` (shùzì): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
    • `数量` (shùliàng) is the amount of something. It answers “how many?”.
    • `数字` (shùzì) is the numeral or figure itself—the symbol for a number.
    • Correct: 这本书的数量是三本。(Zhè běn shū de shùliàng shì sān běn.) - The quantity of these books is three.
    • Correct: 我最喜欢的数字是“8”。(Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de shùzì shì “bā”.) - My favorite number (numeral) is “8”.
    • Incorrect: 我最喜欢的数量是“8”。(This would mean “My favorite quantity is 8,” which is illogical).
  • `数量` (shùliàng) vs. `号码` (hàomǎ):
    • Use `号码` (hàomǎ) for identifying numbers like phone numbers, room numbers, or license plate numbers.
    • Correct: 我的电话号码是 12345678。(Wǒ de diànhuà hàomǎ shì…) - My phone number is 12345678.
    • Incorrect: 我的电话数量是… (This means “My phone quantity is…,” which makes no sense).

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 多少 (duōshao) - The question word (“how many/much”) used to ask about `数量`.
  • 数字 (shùzì) - A numeral or figure (e.g., “5”, “8”, “9”), distinct from the quantity of items.
  • 质量 (zhìliàng) - The direct counterpart to `数量`: “quality.”
  • 大量 (dàliàng) - A large quantity of; a great amount. Used to describe a large `数量`.
  • 少数 (shǎoshù) - A small number; a minority.
  • 多数 (duōshù) - A large number; a majority.
  • 总数 (zǒngshù) - The total number; the sum total.
  • 号码 (hàomǎ) - “Number” in the sense of a code or identifier (e.g., phone number).
  • 数量词 (shùliàngcí) - The grammatical term for “quantifier” or “measure word,” which is essential for expressing `数量` in Chinese.