些
some; a few (only after 一/这/那)
xiē
What does 些 mean?
些 (xiē) is a measure word meaning 'some / a few / a small amount' — but it has a STRICT rule: it can only follow 一 (yī), 这 (zhè), or 那 (nà). You say 一些 (some), 这些 (these), 那些 (those) — never 些 alone, never 三些 or 几些. The unit 一些 covers both countable 'some' (一些书 — some books) and uncountable 'some' (一些水 — some water), unlike English's split between 'some / a few / a little.' 些 also pairs with adjectives to soften comparison: 好一些 (a little better), 大一些 (a bit bigger). After 这/那 it's the natural plural demonstrative — 这些 (these), 那些 (those) — which has no separate plural form in Chinese otherwise.
Character breakdown
some; a few (the 二 'two' bottom is historical, suggesting 'a small count')
Example sentences
我买了一些水果。
Wǒ mǎi le yìxiē shuǐguǒ.
I bought some fruit.
spoken
这些书是我的。
Zhèxiē shū shì wǒ de.
These books are mine.
spoken
那些人是谁？
Nàxiē rén shì shéi?
Who are those people?
spoken
今天好一些了。
Jīntiān hǎo yìxiē le.
Today I'm a little better.
spoken
Common phrases with 些
Synonyms
几 (with a measure word, e.g. 几个) means 'several / a few' as a small specific count under ten. 一些 is more general 'some' — doesn't suggest a specific count or size. 几个朋友 = a few friends (small number); 一些朋友 = some friends (unspecified).
一点儿 means 'a little (bit)' — emphasizes a small amount, often with uncountable nouns. 一些 is more general 'some' (any amount). 一点水 = a little water; 一些水 = some water.
Don't confuse 些 with
几 is a question / quantity word for SMALL counts ('how many' or 'a few'). 些 is a quantity suffix that ONLY attaches to 一/这/那.
Same pronunciation but 歇 means 'rest / take a break.' 歇一会儿 = take a short rest. Completely different character with 欠 on the right.