近 + 数量
nearly, close to (formal written)
Structure
近 数量（＋ 量词 ＋ 名词） ／ 动词（历时、持续） + 近 + 时段
What it means
Nearly, close to: a total just short of a round figure. 近三百架 might be 280 or 290.
How it is built
近 + number (+ measure word + noun), or 历时／持续 + 近 + span of time: 这项工程历时近十年 (the project took nearly ten years); 近三百架飞机.
When to use it
News, reports and history writing; in speech say 将近 or 差不多. It is the mirror of 逾 (over), and unlike 多达 (as many as) it does not stress that a number is large.
Watch out
Do not add 多, 以上 or 左右: ✗ 近三百多架 ✗ 近三百架左右 ✓ 近三百架.
Examples
据美方统计，他们摧毁了近三百架日本飞机。
By American count they destroyed nearly three hundred Japanese aircraft.
这项工程历时近十年才建成。
The project took nearly ten years to complete.
今年前三季度，全市新增就业近十万人。
In the first three quarters of this year the city added nearly 100,000 jobs.
Learn this in Lesson 205 · HSK 7–9: 飞虎队与驼峰航线 (The Flying Tigers and the Hump)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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