"a number of" has the same meaning as "many" "a number of" 和 "many" 有着同样的意思 There are a number of people who enjoy Chinese food. = There are many people who enjoy Chinese food. 很多人都喜欢吃中国菜. "the number of" simply means a number that belongs to someone or something "the number of" 很单纯地表达属于某人或某事某物的一个号码. Do you have the number of Peter's mobile phone? 你有Peter 手机的号码吗?
