A Comparative Study On Approximate Numbers Between Korean And Chinese

In real-world applications and daily life, quantities that are unable to described by accurate numbers are usually estimated by indefinite ranges. Since in many cases accurate numerical values are not needed but a rough range, therefore approximate numbers come into being in language. Approximate numbers mean rough numbers, in other word, roughly accurate values. As approximate numbers are not correct values, there will be a few differences in approximate numbers but it also has certain value and reliability.In many cases both Korean and Chinese use combined numbers or approximate numerals to make up approximate numbers. In fact there are a lot of approximate numerals in Korean and Chinese. However, concluding by usage, there are only few kinds exist. Therefore, the thesis only chooses a few approximate numerals that are common and have representative significance. There are not only similarities but also differences on the expressive forms between Korean and Chinese. As far as the expressive forms are concerned, the form of numeral+quantifier+approximate numeral (auxiliary word, nouns, affix) and the form of adverb+numeral+quantifier both exist in Korean and Chinese. In addition, sometimes quantifier can be omitted,"(?)"and "几"have the similarity in the use.In terms of differences, the first is the use of combined numbers. Secondly the form of“整整(确实、刚好)+定数+表示概数的词”can be used and approximate numerals can be reused in Korean. For Chinese the two terms are too difficult to know well. Correspondingly, the form of numeral+来／多+quantifier+noun which can be used in Chinese is also difficult to master for Korean. In addition, the approximate numbers’s form of“动词+确数”and’‘两”can only exist in Chinese.