How to ask “how many” in Chinese with 几 (jǐ) and 多少 (duōshao)
几 (jǐ) + Measure Word (+ Noun)? / 多少 (duōshao) (+ Measure Word) + Noun?
Measure words in quantity questions
几 (jǐ) + Measure Word (+ Noun)? / 多少 (duōshao) (+ Measure Word) + Noun?
HSK 1Numbers and Measure WordsMeasure words in quantity questions
Rule structure
几 (jǐ) is used when the speaker expects a relatively small number, but it does not define an exact numerical cutoff. 多少 (duōshao) is used for unknown or larger quantities and can often appear without a measure word, especially in general quantity questions.
Rule structure
几 (jǐ) is used when the speaker expects a relatively small number, but it does not define an exact numerical cutoff. 多少 (duōshao) is used for unknown or larger quantities and can often appear without a measure word, especially in general quantity questions.
Examples
你有几本书？
Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?
How many books do you have?
Examples
你有几本书？
Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?
How many books do you have?
Build the sentence
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Measure words in quantity questions” in Chinese?
Use the structure: 几 (jǐ) + Measure Word (+ Noun)? / 多少 (duōshao) (+ Measure Word) + Noun?. For example: 你有几本书？ — “How many books do you have?”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
你有几本书？ — “How many books do you have?”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 1.
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