多少 / 几(duōshao / jǐ)
How Many / How Much
Structure Pattern
Explanation
几 (jǐ) and 多少 (duōshao) both translate to "how many", but they're used differently. 几 is for small countable numbers (typically 1-10) and REQUIRES a measure word. 多少 is for larger or unknown quantities and the measure word is optional. Don't use 几 for prices or phone numbers.
Example Sentences
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Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè gēge?
How many older brothers do you have?
Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?
What time is it?
Zhège duōshao qián?
How much is this?
Nǐmen bān yǒu duōshao rén?
How many people are in your class?
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
这个几钱？
Correct Usage
这个多少钱？
Money is always 多少 — prices are unbounded.
Common Mistake
你有几哥哥？
Correct Usage
你有几个哥哥？
几 needs a measure word (个).
Master 多少 / 几
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