Chinese word

或多或少

Pronunciation

Pinyinhuò duō huò shǎo

Meaning

  • adverbmore or less

Example

这件事我或多或少懂一点。zhè jiàn shì wǒ huò duō huò shǎo dǒng yì diǎn

I understand a little about this matter, more or less.

Illustration for 或多或少 (more or less)

More examples

新的政策或多或少影响了小型企业的经营。xīn de zhèng cè huò duō huò shǎo yíng xiǎng le xiǎo xíng qǐ yè de jīng yíng

The new policy more or less affected the operations of small businesses.

Core concept

Something is present to a limited but noticeable degree, while its exact size or strength remains open.

Common phrases

  • 或多或少影响huò duō huò shǎo yíng xiǎng

    more or less affect

  • 或多或少存在huò duō huò shǎo cún zài

    more or less exist

Similar words

多少duō shǎo: Expresses an unclear amount or degree that is nevertheless present.
大约dà yuē: Estimates a measurable number, amount, or time.
大概dà gài: Gives a general judgment about a situation or amount that is not fully certain.
稍微shāo wēi: Describes a very small degree of change, effect, or quality.

Definition in Chinese

用于表示在量或程度上存在一定幅度但难以明确，表示多多少少、有一定程度存在的意思。yòng yú biǎo shì zài liàng huò chéng dù shàng cún zài yí dìng fú dù dàn nán yǐ míng què biǎo shì duō duō sháo shǎo yǒu yí dìng chéng dù cún zài de yì si

Word origin

或多或少 (huòduōhuòshǎo, "more or less") repeats the either-or marker 或 (huò, "either") around 多 (duō, "much") and 少 (shǎo, "little"), linking opposite ends of an uncertain scale.

Usage tips

  • It works well when the exact degree is unimportant, while a specific number or firm limit calls for a more precise expression.

Other meanings

  • somewhatadverb
  • approximatelyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word