些
xiē · HSK 4
classifier indicating a small amount or small number greater than 1: some, a few, several
此 (this) + 二 stroke base; classifier meaning 'some, a few'
些 marks an approximate small quantity — 'some' or 'a few'. Built from 此 (this) over 二, hinting at 'this much, roughly two-ish'. Used after 这/那 or numbers: 这些 = these, 一些 = some.
些 — 此 (this) + 二 (two)
些 combines 此 'this' with 二 'two', originally suggesting 'this and that few' — a small, indefinite quantity. It has long functioned as a measure word for an unspecified small amount, equivalent to 'some' or 'a few' in English. The modern meaning preserves this ancient sense of vague plurality.