make up the number; serve as a stopgap
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to make up a required number; to gather enough of something to meet a quota
Refers to the act of gathering people, items, or funds to reach a specific target number.
Wǒ我
men们
hái还
chà差
yī一
gè个
rén人
，
nǐ你
lái来
còu凑
gè个
shù数
ba吧
。
We're short one person, come and make up the number.
Juān捐
kuǎn款
yǐ已
jīng经
kuài快
còu凑
gòu够
shù数
le了
。
The donations are almost enough to meet the target.
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Wèi为
le了
còu凑
shù数
，
tā他
mǎi买
le了
yī一
xiē些
bù不
bì必
yào要
de的
dōng东
xi西
。
To make up the number, he bought some unnecessary things.
verb
to serve as a mere stopgap; to fill a position inadequately just to meet a headcount
Often has a negative connotation, implying the person or thing is not qualified and is only used to fill a vacancy. The example from the source text illustrates this meaning.
Rén人
yuán员
yào要
jīng精
gàn干
，
bù不
néng能
suí随
biàn便
zhǎo找
jǐ几
gè个
rén人
còu凑
shù数
。
The staff should be capable; we can't just randomly find a few people to fill the spots.
Tā他
zài在
qiú球
duì队
lǐ里
zhǐ只
shì是
còu凑
shù数
de的
，
hěn很
shǎo少
shàng上
chǎng场
。
He's just filling a spot on the team and rarely plays.
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Zhè这
fèn份
míng名
dān单
shàng上
yǒu有
xiē些
rén人
chún纯
cuì粹
shì是
còu凑
shù数
de的
。
Some people on this list are purely there to make up the numbers.