或多或少 vs 多多少少: what is the difference?
Both mean 'more or less'. 或多或少 is the more written one, while 多多少少 is spoken.
| Word | Pinyin | What it does | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 或多或少 | huò duō huò shǎo | Means 'more or less', in a written register. | 或多或少 + Verb phrase |
| 多多少少 | duō duō shǎo shǎo | Means 'more or less', in a spoken tone. | 多多少少 + Verb phrase |
或多或少 (huò duō huò shǎo)
Means 'more or less', in a written register.
Structure: 或多或少 + Verb phrase
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 每个人或多或少都有压力。 | Měi gè rén huò duō huò shǎo dōu yǒu yā lì. | Everyone has some stress, more or less. |
| 这件事或多或少会影响他。 | Zhè jiàn shì huò duō huò shǎo huì yǐng xiǎng tā. | This will affect him to some degree. |
| 他们或多或少都听说过这件事。 | Tā men huò duō huò shǎo dōu tīng shuō guò zhè jiàn shì. | They have all heard something of this, more or less. |
Not: 他们或多或少是三个人。 This is an adverb for degree, not for numbers. For roughly three people say 大约三个人。
多多少少 (duō duō shǎo shǎo)
Means 'more or less', in a spoken tone.
Structure: 多多少少 + Verb phrase
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这个菜我多多少少会做一点儿。 | Zhè ge cài wǒ duō duō shǎo shǎo huì zuò yì diǎnr. | I can cook this dish a little, more or less. |
| 他多多少少知道一些情况。 | Tā duō duō shǎo shǎo zhī dao yì xiē qíng kuàng. | He knows something about the situation. |
| 我们多多少少都要学一点。 | Wǒ men duō duō shǎo shǎo dōu yào xué yì diǎn. | We all have to learn a bit, more or less. |
Not: 他们多多少少是三个人。 This is an adverb for degree, not for numbers. For roughly three people say 大约三个人。
Where this comes from
The comparison is part of Four-Character Fixed Patterns: 或A或B, 无A无B, A这A那, 左A右B (HSK 6) in the grammar reference, which has the full explanation, more worked examples, and what to learn before and after it.
More pairs: 朝着 vs 向 · 从而 vs 进而 · 非…不可 vs 必须 · 格外 vs 非常 · 即使…也… vs 虽然…但是… · 鉴于 vs 出于 · 时而…时而… vs 一时…一时… · 阵 vs 次 · all 81 pairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 或多或少 and 多多少少?
Both mean 'more or less'. 或多或少 is the more written one, while 多多少少 is spoken.
GraphChinese drills each of these patterns and schedules the review that keeps it. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
Start at your true level