Approximate Numbers with 来 in Chinese
概数：数词＋来＋量词
Postnumeral 来 marks an approximate quantity around a stated round number. In the Level 4 pattern it stands between a numeral ending in a place-value unit and a classifier or measure, as in 十来本 and 一百来辆. The estimate may be slightly below or above the anchor, depending on context and scale.
Published August 7, 2026
Reviewed August 7, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Round Numeral + 来 + Measure Word (+ Noun)
Read the structure
Postnumeral 来 marks an approximate quantity around a stated round number. In the Level 4 pattern it stands between a numeral ending in a place-value unit and a classifier or measure, as in 十来本 and 一百来辆. The estimate may be slightly below or above the anchor, depending on context and scale. Keep the model Round Numeral + 来 + Measure Word (+ Noun) visible while you compare each sentence.
我买了十来本书。
I bought about ten books.
Choose the right context
Estimate a count around ten, a hundred, or another round anchor. Place 来 before the classifier in forms such as 十来本. Use the quantity as a noun modifier or a predicate measurement.
这袋米有五十来斤。
This bag of rice weighs about fifty jin.
Respect the boundary
Do not omit the classifier before a count noun. Do not scramble 来, the classifier, and the noun. Do not claim that 来 always means strictly more than the anchor.
我买了十来书。
(I bought about ten book.)
Repair the pattern
A count noun lacks its classifier: A count noun such as 书 requires its classifier 本 after approximative 来. The classifier and noun are scrambled: The Level 4 frame keeps round numeral, 来, classifier, and noun in that order.
我买了十来本书。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我买了十来本书。
I bought about ten books.
我
Round Numeral
This part occupies the Round Numeral position in the model pattern.
买
来
This part occupies the 来 position in the model pattern.
了
Measure Word (
This part occupies the Measure Word ( position in the model pattern.
十
Noun)
This part occupies the Noun) position in the model pattern.
来
Round Numeral
This part occupies the Round Numeral position in the model pattern.
本
来
This part occupies the 来 position in the model pattern.
书
Measure Word (
This part occupies the Measure Word ( position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我买了十来本书。
I bought about ten books.
这袋米有五十来斤。
This bag of rice weighs about fifty jin.
停车场有一百来辆车。
There are about one hundred cars in the parking lot.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Estimate a count around ten, a hundred, or another round anchor.
- Place 来 before the classifier in forms such as 十来本.
- Use the quantity as a noun modifier or a predicate measurement.
Do not use it when
- Do not omit the classifier before a count noun.
- Do not scramble 来, the classifier, and the noun.
- Do not claim that 来 always means strictly more than the anchor.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我买了十来书。
我买了十来本书。
A count noun lacks its classifier
A count noun such as 书 requires its classifier 本 after approximative 来.
停车场有一百车来辆。
停车场有一百来辆车。
The classifier and noun are scrambled
The Level 4 frame keeps round numeral, 来, classifier, and noun in that order.
我买了十来书。
A count noun such as 书 requires its classifier 本 after approximative 来.
停车场有一百车来辆。
The Level 4 frame keeps round numeral, 来, classifier, and noun in that order.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 概数：数词＋来＋量词.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 概数：数词＋来＋量词. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Approximate Numbers with 来 Questions
Does 十来本 mean more than ten books?
Not necessarily. Research records both slightly lower and slightly higher readings, with the exact interval shaped by the anchor and context.
Can 来 appear after a measure word?
Yes, other licensed patterns exist with divisible measures, such as 三斤来重. This page focuses on the official Level 4 numeral-plus-来-plus-classifier pattern.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 4 item 【四61】, PDF p. 220 (printed p. 214)
Places numeral plus 来 plus measure word at Level 4 with 十来本、五十来斤 and 一百来辆.
Official source论概数词‘来’
李志佳 · 湖南大学 / 中国高校人文社会科学信息网 · 2015
Locator: pp. 1-5, sections 1-4, especially formulas and examples on pp. 1-2 and 十来本书 on p. 5
Documents 来 distribution with numeral-classifier structures, round-number restrictions, and the debated slightly-below or slightly-above range.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
数量短语Basic Quantity Phrases
Connect numeral-classifier order with inserting approximative 来 into the quantity phrase.
Learn first
个Chinese Measure Words
Choose the licensed classifier that follows 来 before the counted noun.
Compare
无标记数量差比较Markerless Comparison with a Quantity Difference
An approximate quantity differs from an exact markerless numerical difference used in comparison.
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Connect numeral-classifier order with inserting approximative 来 into the quantity phrase.