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Latest comment: 1 year ago by 37.169.33.51 in topic Etymology
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5. "used after a number, 後/后 (hòu), or 前 (qián)"

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Why are they called "numbers"? in 5. used after a number, 後/后 (hòu), or 前 (qián) --Backinstadiums (talk) 10:42, 23 December 2017 (UTC)Reply

If I am not misinterpreting your sentence, I think you are misinterpreting the original sentence. It can be used after
1. a number (as in 三者)
2. or 後 (as in 後者)
3. or 前 (as in 前者).
suzukaze (tc) 10:46, 23 December 2017 (UTC)Reply

Etymology

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Perhaps from 之 (OC *tə) with endoactive -ʔ, literally "that which is it" ? However the A vowel would be phonologically problematic Maybe from an older apophonic root or variant of 之? 37.169.33.51 17:29, 31 July 2023 (UTC)Reply