num.-m.
some; a few
一些
some; a few
Literally 'one slice' (一 one + 些 plural marker). Means 'some' or 'a few'; modifies unspecified quantities like 一些书 (some books).
Common Usage & Traps
- 一些水果 — some fruit
- 一些人 — some people
- 一些钱 — some money
- 买一些 — buy some
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一些的水果一些水果的 does not belong after 一些 before a noun. If you mean 'some of my friends', use 我的一些朋友.
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我没买一些水果我没买水果 / 我没买什么水果一些 sounds awkward in plain negative statements. Chinese usually drops it or swaps in 什么.
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一些人们一些人一些 already signals more than one, so adding 们 is redundant and unnatural.
Is 一些 the same as 很多 when I mean 'some'?
No. 一些 means some or a few; 很多 means many or a lot.
一些 points to a small, indefinite amount, while 很多 points to a large amount. If you bought a normal shopping-list amount, 一些水果 sounds fine; if you bought a truckload, say 很多水果. Use 一些 when the exact number does not matter and the pile is not huge.
“我买了鸡蛋、面包、牛奶，还有一些水果，这些都是你和我的吃的和喝的东西，还有给我们的小猫和小狗吃的东西。” (I bought eggs, bread, milk, and some fruit.)
“我买了鸡蛋、面包、牛奶，还有一些水果，这些都是你和我的吃的和喝的东西，还有给我们的小猫和小狗吃的东西。” (I bought eggs, bread, milk, and some fruit.)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning small amount | 一些水果 | 很多水果 when you mean just a few |
| Meaning large amount | 很多水果 | 一些水果 when you mean a lot |
| Shopping list | 一些水果 | 很多水果 if the list is normal |
Can I say 一些水, or should it be 一点水?
Both can work, but 一些水 means 'some water'; 一点水 means 'a little water'.
一些 treats water as an indefinite portion, like a bottle or jug's worth. 一点 focuses on a small amount, like a sip, splash, or spoonful. If you just want a tiny drink, 一点水 sounds more natural than 一些水. If you're setting aside a general supply, 一些水 is fine and means some water.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny sip | 一点水 | 一些水 if you want just a sip |
| General supply | 一些水 | 一点水 if you mean a normal portion |
Can I say 我没买一些水果 when I bought no fruit?
No. Plain negatives usually drop 一些; say 我没买水果 or 我没买什么水果.
一些 sounds best in positive, open-ended statements where you are adding something. In a plain negative, it can sound like you are denying a specific 'some'. Chinese usually says 我没买水果 when you simply did not buy any fruit at all. If you need a soft 'any' in everyday speech, 我没买什么水果 works better than 我没买一些水果.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Positive statement | 我买了一些水果 | 我没买一些水果 |
| Plain negative | 我没买水果 | 我没买一些水果 |
| Soft negative | 我没买什么水果 | 我没买一些水果 |
Do I say 一些人 or 一些的人?
Say 一些人. 一些 never takes 的 before the noun it describes.
You do not add 的 after 一些 just because English says 'some of'. You normally say 一些人, 一些水果, or 一些钱 with no 的 in between. If you mean 'some of my friends', say 我的一些朋友, where 的 belongs to 我的. The 的 is not attached to 一些; it is attached to the owner.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Some people | 一些人 | 一些的人 |
| Some fruit | 一些水果 | 一些的水果 |
| Some of my friends | 我的一些朋友 | 我一些的朋友 |
Appears in Stories 2 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
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这些多多少少都能补充人体所需要的 一些 营养成分。
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在吃方便面时也可以再多加 一些 蔬菜、水果什么的，让它营养更多。
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
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我买了鸡蛋、面包、牛奶，还有 一些 水果，这些都是你和我的吃的和喝的东西，还有给我们的小猫和小狗吃的东西。
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