Grammar · Chapter 54
千X万Y: how to read number idioms
千 + A + 万 + B: 千/万 are not counted but mean 'very many, very strongly'
In four-character idioms 千 and 万 are not counted: the numbers only make the meaning stronger, and between them stand two close characters. 千军万马 is 'an enormous mass', 千方百计 is 'by every possible means', 千变万化 is 'changing all the time'. Mistake: translating both numbers literally — 'a thousand armies and ten thousand horses' is not said by anyone.
Examples
- 这条街上的灯笼千姿百态，节日的气氛特别浓。 Zhè tiáo jiē shàng de dēnglóng qiānzībǎitài, jiérì de qìfēn tèbié nóng. The lanterns on this street take many different shapes, and the festive atmosphere is especially lively.
- 他千方百计想办法修好了那台旧机器。 Tā qiānfāngbǎijì xiǎng bànfǎ xiū hǎo le nà tái jiù jīqì. He managed, by every possible means, to fix that old machine.
- 舞台上的灯光千变万化，观众连连欢呼。 Wǔtái shàng de dēngguāng qiānbiànwànhuà, guānzhòng liánlián huānhū. The stage lighting changed without pause, and the audience cried out in delight again and again.