small amount less than a unit; leftover bits
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
a small amount less than a unit; odd amount
informalOften refers to money, quantity, or measurements that don't form a complete standard unit. Commonly used with '儿' (ér) as a suffix.
Zhè这
jiàn件
yī衣
fu服
yī一
bǎi百
wǔ五
，
wǒ我
zhèng正
hǎo好
yǒu有
，
bù不
yòng用
zhǎo找
líng零
tóu头
le了
。
This piece of clothing is 150 yuan; I have exactly that, so no need for change.
Wǒ我
men们
mǎi买
le了
èr二
shí十
jīn斤
píng苹
guǒ果
，
zhè这
shì是
líng零
tóu头
，
sòng送
nǐ你
ba吧
。
We bought twenty jin of apples; this is the odd amount, you can have it.
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Zhěng整
wǔ五
yuán元
，
méi没
yǒu有
líng零
tóu头
r儿
。
It's exactly five yuan, no odd change.
noun
leftover bits; remnants; scraps
informalRefers to the small leftover pieces of material after the main part has been used, such as fabric, wood, or food.
Zhè这
kuài块
bù布
zhǐ只
gòu够
zuò做
jiàn件
chèn衬
shān衫
，
shèng剩
xià下
xiē些
líng零
tóu头
kě可
yǐ以
zuò做
shǒu手
pà帕
。
This piece of cloth is only enough for a shirt; the leftover bits can be used to make handkerchiefs.
Méi没
yǒu有
zhěng整
liào料
le了
，
dōu都
shì是
xiē些
líng零
tóu头
r儿
。
There's no whole piece of material left, only scraps.
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Tā她
yòng用
máo毛
xiàn线
de的
líng零
tóu头
gěi给
wá娃
wa娃
zhī织
le了
dǐng顶
mào帽
zi子
。
She used leftover bits of yarn to knit a hat for the doll.