Approximation with 左右/大约
Use 左右 (after numbers) or 大约 (before numbers) to express approximation.
Pattern
Number + Measure Word + (Noun) + 左右 / 大约 + Number + Measure Word + Noun
Explanation
Chinese has several ways to express approximation. 左右 (literally 'left right') is placed AFTER a number to mean 'approximately'. 大约 is placed BEFORE a number with the same meaning.
左右 is more colloquial and commonly used in speech. 大约 is slightly more formal. Both can be used for quantities, time, distance, age, etc. Other approximation words include 大概 and 差不多.
Examples
他三十岁左右。
Tā sānshí suì zuǒyòu.
He's about 30 years old.
大约有五百人参加了活动。
Dàyuē yǒu wǔ bǎi rén cānjiā le huódòng.
Approximately 500 people attended the event.
从这里到机场要两个小时左右。
Cóng zhèlǐ dào jīchǎng yào liǎng gè xiǎoshí zuǒyòu.
It takes about two hours from here to the airport.
Common Mistakes
左右三十岁。
三十岁左右。
左右 must come AFTER the number, not before.
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