How to say "how much" or "how many" in Chinese

多少 combines 多 (duō, 'many') and 少 (shǎo, 'few') — literally 'many-few'. It's a question word that asks for a number or amount. It can stand alone or precede a noun, like 多少人? (duōshao rén?) — 'how many people?'.

Use 多少 when you expect a number as the answer — for prices, ages, quantities, or time. It's neutral in tone and works in any situation. For 'how much' in the sense of 'to what degree', use 多 (duō) instead, like 多大? (duō dà?) — 'how big?'. Don't use 多少 for 'how are you' — that's 怎么样 (zěnme yàng).