B1 noun Neutral 1 min read

不多

buduo /pu⁵¹ twɔ⁵⁵/
Practice it

"不多" is a versatile term for expressing that something is limited in quantity or frequency.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Indicates a limited quantity or degree.
  • Functions as a predicate, modifier, or complement.
  • Neutral tone used in both formal and informal contexts.

概览：

“不多”是一个由否定副词“不”和形容词“多”构成的合成词。在汉语中，它主要用于否定某种丰沛的状态，强调事物的稀缺性或有限性。虽然在词性上常被视为形容词性短语，但在实际应用中，它经常充当句子的谓语或定语。

用法模式：

  • 作谓语：直接放在名词后面，表示该名词的数量有限。例如：“剩下的时间不多了。”
  • 作定语：通常在“不多”后加“的”来修饰名词。例如：“不多的人知道这个秘密。”
  • 作补语：跟在动词和“得”之后，描述动作的频率或程度。例如：“他吃得不多。”

常见语境：

  • 日常生活：描述食物、金钱、朋友的数量。
  • 职场环境：描述项目进度、剩余预算或工作经验。
  • 抽象领域：描述机会、希望或某种特质的罕见。

同类词比较：

“不多”与“很少”：两者意思相近，但“不多”是中性词，仅仅陈述事实；而“很少”往往带有主观色彩，强调“极少”，语气比“不多”更重。此外，“不多”可以被“不太多”进一步弱化，而“很少”则无法这样变化。

Examples

1

剩下的钱不多了，我们要省着点花。

everyday

There isn't much money left; we need to spend it sparingly.

2

关于这个项目的详细资料，目前公开的并不多。

formal

Regarding the details of this project, not much has been made public yet.

3

他这人话不多，但做事很靠谱。

informal

He is a man of few words, but he is very reliable.

4

现有的研究文献显示，该领域的实验数据依然不多。

academic

Existing research literature shows that experimental data in this field is still limited.

Common Collocations

所剩不多 not much left
机会不多 not many opportunities
了解不多 don't know much about

Common Phrases

时间不多

time is running out

为数不多

few in number

并不多见

rarely seen

Often Confused With

不多 vs 很少

‘很少’ emphasizes extreme scarcity and is more subjective, while ‘不多’ is a neutral statement of limited quantity.

不多 vs 些许

‘些许’ is a formal literary term meaning 'a little bit,' whereas ‘不多’ is common and focuses on the negation of 'many'.

Grammar Patterns

名词 + 不多 不多 + 的 + 名词 动词 + 得 + 不多

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The term '不多' is neutral and can be used in almost any social situation. It is slightly more polite and less blunt than using the word '少' (shǎo) alone. In written Chinese, it is often paired with '并不' (bìng bù) to add emphasis.

Common Mistakes

A common error for learners is placing '不多' directly before a noun without the particle '的' (e.g., saying '不多时间' instead of '时间不多' or '不多的时间'). Another mistake is confusing it with '不太多', which means 'not too much' and implies a slightly higher quantity than '不多'.

Tips

💡

Use it to soften negative news

Saying 'The budget is not much' (预算不多) sounds more professional than saying 'The budget is small' (预算少).

⚠️

Placement with verbs and 'de'

Remember to use 'de' (得) when '不多' follows a verb, such as '说得不多' (doesn't speak much).

🌍

Modesty in Chinese culture

When praised, Chinese people often say their knowledge is '不多' as a form of humility.

Word Origin

Composed of '不' (bù), a negation particle dating back to oracle bone script, and '多' (duō), which originally depicted two pieces of meat, symbolizing abundance and plurality.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, claiming one's own achievements or knowledge are '不多' is a sign of '谦虚' (qiānxū - humility), which is a highly valued virtue.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'Duo' (多) as a pile of things. 'Bu' (不) is a big 'X' over that pile. No pile = Not many.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“少”通常直接作形容词，而“不多”是对“多”的否定。在语气上，“不多”比“少”听起来更委婉、更客观。

可以，但通常需要加“的”。例如“不多的人”或“不多的机会”。但在现代汉语中，更常用“不多的几个”或“不多的几项”。

可以。它是一个中性词，适用于从日常对话到学术报告的所有场合。

通常不直接说“非常不多”，而是说“确实不多”或“真的不多”。如果想表达程度深，通常改用“极少”。

Test Yourself

fill blank

虽然他来过中国几次，但对这里的了解___。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: a

此处“不多”作句子的谓语，表示了解的程度有限。

multiple choice

Which sentence correctly describes limited time?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: a

“名词 + 不多”是描述数量有限的标准结构。

sentence building

机会 / 这样 / 的 / 并不 / 多

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: c

“这样的机会”作主语，“并不多”作谓语，表示此类机会稀少。

Score: /3

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

あまり Japanese 余り Japanese
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