A2 Questions 7 min read Easy

Asking 'How Many': jǐ vs duōshao

Use 几 for small expected amounts (<10) with a measure word; use 多少 for everything else.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {几|jǐ} for small numbers (under 10) and {多少|duōshao} for larger or unknown quantities.

  • Use {几|jǐ} + measure word + noun for numbers likely under 10: {你有几个苹果？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè píngguǒ?}
  • Use {多少|duōshao} for numbers likely over 10: {学校里有多少学生？|Xuéxiào lǐ yǒu duōshao xuéshēng?}
  • Use {多少|duōshao} when you have no idea of the quantity: {这件衣服多少钱？|Zhè jiàn yīfu duōshao qián?}
Subject + (有/是) + {几|jǐ}/{多少|duōshao} + (Measure Word) + Noun + 吗/呢?

Overview

In Mandarin Chinese, expressing the concept of “how many” or “how much” involves a critical distinction between two interrogative pronouns: 几 (jǐ) and 多少 (duōshao). While both translate to similar phrases in English, their usage is governed by the speaker's expectation of the quantity being inquired about. This nuance is fundamental to sounding natural and precise when asking quantitative questions.

几 is used when you anticipate a small, discrete number, typically less than ten, and it always demands the presence of a measure word. In contrast, 多少 is employed when you expect a larger, unknown, or indefinite quantity, and it offers flexibility regarding the use of measure words.

The strategic choice between 几 and 多少 reflects a deeper linguistic principle in Chinese: a preference for numerical specificity, even in an interrogative context. This rule is not merely a formality; it conveys subtle but significant social and contextual information, influencing how your question is perceived. Mastering this distinction is crucial for A2 learners transitioning from basic sentence structures to more contextually appropriate and nuanced communication.

Incorrect usage can lead to misunderstandings or, at the very least, an unnatural sounding query. By understanding the underlying logic and practical applications of 几 and duōshao, you gain a powerful tool for effective communication.

How This Grammar Works

The core mechanism differentiating 几 and 多少 lies in the speaker's pre-conception of the quantity. This isn't about the actual answer, but your expected range of the answer. 几 inherently implies a specific, small numerical range, typically from one to nine.
This expectation might stem from the nature of the object being counted (e.g., days of the week, family members) or a general assumption based on typical scenarios. For instance, asking 你家有几口人？ (Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén? – How many people are in your family?) uses 几 because most families typically have a small number of members.
Conversely, 多少 carries no inherent expectation of quantity. You use it when the number is genuinely unknown, when you anticipate a large quantity, or when the quantity is fluid and potentially limitless, like money or population. If you ask 你们学校有多少学生？ (Nǐmen xuéxiào yǒu duōshao xuéshēng? – How many students are in your school?), 多少 is appropriate because school populations can range from dozens to tens of thousands.
This neutrality makes 多少 the default choice when uncertainty prevails.
Another critical distinction is the mandatory nature of measure words with 几. Chinese nouns are almost always classified by measure words (量词 | liàngcí) when counted. With 几, this classifier is non-negotiable.
Saying 你几书？ (Nǐ jǐ shū? – a grammatically incorrect phrase) is akin to saying “how many book?” in English; it feels incomplete and ungrammatical. The correct form is 你有几本书？ (Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū? – How many books do you have?), where 本 (běn) is the measure word for books. This strict requirement emphasizes the specific, quantifiable nature 几 implies.
| Feature | 几 (jǐ) | 多少 (duōshao) |
| :---------------- | :--------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------ |
| Expected Quantity | Small, usually < 10 (e.g., 1-9) | Large, unknown, or indefinite |
| Measure Word | Mandatory | Optional |
| Semantic Implication | Specific, enumerable, often polite for small quantities | Neutral, general, suitable for any quantity |
多少, however, is more flexible with measure words. While you can use a measure word with 多少 (e.g., 多少个学生 | duōshao gè xuéshēng), it is often omitted, especially in casual speech or when the noun itself implies a collective quantity. 多少学生 (duōshao xuéshēng) is perfectly natural and common.
This optionality underscores 多少's role in addressing broader, less precisely defined quantities. The origin of 几 traces back to classical Chinese where it often carried the sense of “a few” or “several,” solidifying its association with smaller, discrete counts. 多少, a compound of 多 (many/much) and 少 (few/little), inherently covers the spectrum from small to large, making it the more general interrogative.
Understanding these structural and semantic underpinnings clarifies why these rules exist, making them easier to internalize.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming questions with 几 and 多少 follows a straightforward pattern, but strict adherence to measure word placement is essential, particularly for 几. The basic structure places the interrogative pronoun, followed by the (optional) measure word, and then the noun being quantified. The subject and verb typically precede this quantitative phrase.
2
Pattern for 几 (jǐ)
3
When using 几, the measure word is an indispensable component, acting as a bridge between the number (implied by 几) and the noun. Without it, the construction is grammatically incomplete.
4
| Structure | Example (Chinese) | Pinyin (with tones) | Example (English) |
5
| :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------ | :-------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- |
6
| Subject + Verb + 几 + Measure Word + Noun + ? | 你有几本书？ | Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū? | How many books do you have? |
7
| Time/Date Expression | 现在几点？ | Xiànzài jǐ diǎn? | What time is it now? |
8
| | 今天星期几？ | Jīntiān xīngqī jǐ? | What day of the week is it today? |
9
Example 1: 你今天有几节课？ (Nǐ jīntiān yǒu jǐ jié kè? – How many classes do you have today?) Here, 节 (jié) is the measure word for classes.
10
Example 2: 你的手机有几个App？ (Nǐ de shǒujī yǒu jǐ gè App? – How many apps are on your phone?) 个 (gè) is a general measure word.
11
Example 3: 这个房间有几扇窗？ (Zhège fángjiān yǒu jǐ shàn chuāng? – How many windows does this room have?) 扇 (shàn) is the measure word for windows.
12
Pattern for 多少 (duōshao)
13
多少 offers more flexibility. While a measure word can be included, it is often omitted, especially when referring to large, general, or abstract quantities. Both forms are grammatically correct, with the omission often making the question sound slightly more informal or concise.
14
| Structure | Example (Chinese) | Pinyin (with tones) | Example (English) |
15
| :--------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------ | :-------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- |\
16
| Subject + Verb + 多少 + (Measure Word) + Noun + ? | 你们学校有多少学生？ | Nǐmen xuéxiào yǒu duōshao xuéshēng? | How many students are in your school? |\
17
| Asking Price | 这个多少钱？ | Zhège duōshao qián? | How much is this? |\
18
| Abstract Quantities | 一年有多少天？ | Yī nián yǒu duōshao tiān? | How many days are in a year? |
19
Example 1 (with measure word): 你花了多少时间来中国？ (Nǐ huā le duōshao shíjiān lái Zhōngguó? – How much time did you spend coming to China?) 时间 (shíjiān) often doesn't use a measure word directly, but 多少 precedes it directly.
20
Example 2 (without measure word): 你有多少朋友？ (Nǐ yǒu duōshao péngyǒu? – How many friends do you have?) This implies a potentially large or unknown number.
21
Example 3 (money): 你的工资是多少？ (Nǐ de gōngzī shì duōshao? – How much is your salary?) Money is always asked with 多少钱 or 是多少.

When To Use It

Choosing between 几 and 多少 is primarily guided by the context and your expected numerical range for the answer. This subtle yet powerful distinction allows for precise and socially appropriate questioning.
Using 几 (jǐ) – For Small, Discrete Quantities
Use 几 when you anticipate an answer that is a single digit, generally between one and nine. This often applies to items that naturally come in small sets or when you are inquiring about specific, countable entities.
  • Time and Dates: This is one of the most consistent uses. Since there are only 12 hours on a clock face, 7 days in a week, and a specific number of months in a year, 几 is almost universally used.
  • 现在几点？ (Xiànzài jǐ diǎn? – What time is it now?)
  • 你的生日是几月几号？ (Nǐ de shēngrì shì jǐ yuè jǐ hào? – What month and day is your birthday?)
  • 你每个星期工作几天？ (Nǐ měi ge xīngqī gōngzuò jǐ tiān? – How many days do you work each week?)
  • Small, Countable Objects or People: When the group size is typically small, 几 is the natural choice.
  • 你们班有几个同学？ (Nǐmen bān yǒu jǐ ge tóngxué? – How many classmates are in your class?) – expecting a specific, manageable number.
  • 你今天买了几个苹果？ (Nǐ jīntiān mǎi le jǐ ge píngguǒ? – How many apples did you buy today?) – assuming a small purchase.
  • Age of Children: For children, it is customary and polite to use 几岁 (jǐ suì).
  • 你几岁了？ (Nǐ jǐ suì le? – How old are you? [for a child])
  • Compound Numbers (as part of a larger number): 几 can appear in larger numbers to mean

3. Interrogative Usage Table

Interrogative Expected Scale Measure Word Example
{几|jǐ}
Small (<10)
Mandatory
{你有几个苹果？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè píngguǒ?}
{多少|duōshao}
Large/Unknown
Optional
{你有多少苹果？|Nǐ yǒu duōshao píngguǒ?}

Common Shortened Forms

Full Form Shortened Form
{多少钱|duōshao qián}
{多少|duōshao}
{多少个人|duōshao gè rén}
{多少人|duōshao rén}

Meanings

These are the two primary ways to ask 'how many' or 'how much' in Chinese.

1

Small count

Asking for a quantity expected to be less than 10.

“{你有几本书？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?}”

“{今天有几个人来？|Jīntiān yǒu jǐ gè rén lái?}”

2

Large/Unknown count

Asking for a quantity expected to be 10 or more, or completely unknown.

“{这儿有多少人？|Zhèr yǒu duōshao rén?}”

“{你们学校有多少老师？|Nǐmen xuéxiào yǒu duōshao lǎoshī?}”

Reference Table

Reference table for Asking 'How Many': jǐ vs duōshao
Form Structure Example
{几|jǐ}
{几|jǐ} + MW + Noun
{你有几本书？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?}
{多少|duōshao}
{多少|duōshao} + (MW) + Noun
{这儿有多少人？|Zhèr yǒu duōshao rén?}
{几|jǐ} (Age)
{几|jǐ} + {岁|suì}
{你几岁了？|Nǐ jǐ suì le?}
{多少|duōshao} (Price)
{多少|duōshao} + {钱|qián}
{这个多少钱？|Zhège duōshao qián?}
{几|jǐ} (Time)
{几|jǐ} + {点|diǎn}
{现在几点了？|Xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?}
{多少|duōshao} (Abstract)
{多少|duōshao} + Noun
{需要多少时间？|Xūyào duōshao shíjiān?}

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{请问这个多少钱？|Qǐngwèn zhège duōshao qián?}

{请问这个多少钱？|Qǐngwèn zhège duōshao qián?} (Shopping)

Neutral
{这个多少钱？|Zhège duōshao qián?}

{这个多少钱？|Zhège duōshao qián?} (Shopping)

Informal
{多少钱？|Duōshao qián?}

{多少钱？|Duōshao qián?} (Shopping)

Slang
{多少？|Duōshao?}

{多少？|Duōshao?} (Shopping)

Interrogative Scale

How Many?

Small Scale

  • {几|jǐ} Under 10

Large Scale

  • {多少|duōshao} 10+ or Unknown

Usage Comparison

{几|jǐ}
{几个|jǐ gè} a few
{多少|duōshao}
{多少人|duōshao rén} how many people
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Examples by Level

1

{你有几个朋友？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè péngyǒu?}

How many friends do you have?

2

{今天有几个人？|Jīntiān yǒu jǐ gè rén?}

How many people are there today?

3

{这是多少钱？|Zhè shì duōshao qián?}

How much is this?

4

{学校有多少学生？|Xuéxiào yǒu duōshao xuéshēng?}

How many students are in the school?

1

{你几岁了？|Nǐ jǐ suì le?}

How old are you? (for a child)

2

{你有几本书？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?}

How many books do you have?

3

{这儿有多少人？|Zhèr yǒu duōshao rén?}

How many people are here?

4

{你们有多少时间？|Nǐmen yǒu duōshao shíjiān?}

How much time do you have?

1

{你家有几口人？|Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén?}

How many people are in your family?

2

{你买了几个苹果？|Nǐ mǎi le jǐ gè píngguǒ?}

How many apples did you buy?

3

{这个城市有多少人口？|Zhège chéngshì yǒu duōshao rénkǒu?}

What is the population of this city?

4

{我们需要多少钱？|Wǒmen xūyào duōshao qián?}

How much money do we need?

1

{你还有几个问题？|Nǐ hái yǒu jǐ gè wèntí?}

How many more questions do you have?

2

{这儿有几家饭店？|Zhèr yǒu jǐ jiā fàndiàn?}

How many restaurants are here?

3

{这本字典多少钱？|Zhè běn zìdiǎn duōshao qián?}

How much is this dictionary?

4

{你们公司有多少员工？|Nǐmen gōngsī yǒu duōshao yuángōng?}

How many employees does your company have?

1

{你这几天有几个会议？|Nǐ zhè jǐ tiān yǒu jǐ gè huìyì?}

How many meetings do you have in the next few days?

2

{这儿有几条路可以走？|Zhèr yǒu jǐ tiáo lù kěyǐ zǒu?}

How many roads can we take here?

3

{这个项目需要多少预算？|Zhège xiàngmù xūyào duōshao yùsuàn?}

How much budget does this project require?

4

{你觉得有多少人会来？|Nǐ juéde yǒu duōshao rén huì lái?}

How many people do you think will come?

1

{你这辈子有几个遗憾？|Nǐ zhè bèizi yǒu jǐ gè yíhàn?}

How many regrets do you have in your life?

2

{这几本书有几个版本？|Zhè jǐ běn shū yǒu jǐ gè bǎnběn?}

How many editions do these books have?

3

{这件事情有多少可能性？|Zhè jiàn shìqing yǒu duōshao kěnéngxìng?}

How much possibility is there for this matter?

4

{我们需要多少耐心？|Wǒmen xūyào duōshao nàixīn?}

How much patience do we need?

Easily Confused

Asking 'How Many': jǐ vs duōshao vs {几|jǐ} vs {多少|duōshao}

Learners often use {几|jǐ} for everything.

Asking 'How Many': jǐ vs duōshao vs Measure words with {几|jǐ}

Learners forget the measure word.

Asking 'How Many': jǐ vs duōshao vs Measure words with {多少|duōshao}

Learners think they MUST use a measure word.

Common Mistakes

✗

{你有几苹果？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ píngguǒ?}

✓

{你有几个苹果？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè píngguǒ?}

Missing measure word.
✗

{这件衣服几钱？|Zhè jiàn yīfu jǐ qián?}

✓

{这件衣服多少钱？|Zhè jiàn yīfu duōshao qián?}

Used {几|jǐ} for a large number.
✗

{你有多少个书？|Nǐ yǒu duōshao gè shū?}

✓

{你有多少本书？|Nǐ yǒu duōshao běn shū?}

Wrong measure word.
✗

{几人？|Jǐ rén?}

✓

{几个人？|Jǐ gè rén?}

Missing measure word.
✗

{学校里有几学生？|Xuéxiào lǐ yǒu jǐ xuéshēng?}

✓

{学校里有多少学生？|Xuéxiào lǐ yǒu duōshao xuéshēng?}

Used {几|jǐ} for a large group.
✗

{你几岁了？|Nǐ jǐ suì le?} (to an adult)

✓

{你多大了？|Nǐ duō dà le?}

Used {几|jǐ} for an adult age.
✗

{多少个书？|Duōshao gè shū?}

✓

{多少本书？|Duōshao běn shū?}

Used wrong measure word.
✗

{这个项目需要几钱？|Zhège xiàngmù xūyào jǐ qián?}

✓

{这个项目需要多少钱？|Zhège xiàngmù xūyào duōshao qián?}

Used {几|jǐ} for a large budget.
✗

{你有几兄弟姐妹？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ xiōngdì jiěmèi?}

✓

{你有几个兄弟姐妹？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè xiōngdì jiěmèi?}

Missing measure word.
✗

{这儿有几人？|Zhèr yǒu jǐ rén?}

✓

{这儿有几个人？|Zhèr yǒu jǐ gè rén?}

Missing measure word.
✗

{这件事情有几可能性？|Zhè jiàn shìqing yǒu jǐ kěnéngxìng?}

✓

{这件事情有多少可能性？|Zhè jiàn shìqing yǒu duōshao kěnéngxìng?}

Used {几|jǐ} for abstract concept.
✗

{我们需要几耐心？|Wǒmen xūyào jǐ nàixīn?}

✓

{我们需要多少耐心？|Wǒmen xūyào duōshao nàixīn?}

Used {几|jǐ} for abstract concept.
✗

{这几本书有几版本？|Zhè jǐ běn shū yǒu jǐ bǎnběn?}

✓

{这几本书有几个版本？|Zhè jǐ běn shū yǒu jǐ gè bǎnběn?}

Missing measure word.
✗

{你这辈子有几遗憾？|Nǐ zhè bèizi yǒu jǐ yíhàn?}

✓

{你这辈子有几个遗憾？|Nǐ zhè bèizi yǒu jǐ gè yíhàn?}

Missing measure word.

Sentence Patterns

你有___个___吗？

这个___多少钱？

你们学校有___学生？

你今天有___会议？

Real World Usage

Shopping constant

{这个多少钱？|Zhège duōshao qián?}

Classroom very common

{你有几本书？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?}

Social Media common

{你有几个粉丝？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè fěnsī?}

Travel common

{这儿有几家酒店？|Zhèr yǒu jǐ jiā jiǔdiàn?}

Job Interview occasional

{你们公司有多少员工？|Nǐmen gōngsī yǒu duōshao yuángōng?}

Food Delivery common

{我要几个筷子？|Wǒ yào jǐ gè kuàizi?}

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💡

Scale Check

Before asking, guess the number. If <10, use {几|jǐ}.
⚠️

Measure Word Trap

Never forget the measure word after {几|jǐ}.
🎯

Shopping Hack

Just say '{多少钱？|Duōshao qián?}' for any price.
💬

Politeness

Add '{请问|qǐngwèn}' before your question to be polite.

Smart Tips

Always use {多少|duōshao}.

{这件衣服几钱？|Zhè jiàn yīfu jǐ qián?} → {这件衣服多少钱？|Zhè jiàn yīfu duōshao qián?}

Use {几|jǐ} for small groups.

{有多少个人？|Yǒu duōshao gè rén?} → {有几个人？|Yǒu jǐ gè rén?}

Default to {多少|duōshao}.

{有几个人？|Yǒu jǐ gè rén?} (when you don't know) → {有多少人？|Yǒu duōshao rén?}

Always pair {几|jǐ} with one.

{你有几书？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ shū?} → {你有几本书？|Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?}

Pronunciation

jǐ

Tone of {几|jǐ}

Third tone, keep it low.

duō-shao

Tone of {多少|duōshao}

First tone + neutral tone.

Question intonation

Sentence + ?

Rising pitch at the end.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of {几|jǐ} as a 'small' bird chirping (a few), and {多少|duōshao} as a 'large' crowd of people.

Visual Association

Imagine a tiny hand holding 3 fingers for {几|jǐ}, and a giant stadium filled with thousands of people for {多少|duōshao}.

Rhyme

Small is {几|jǐ}, big is {多少|duōshao}, use them right, and you'll be a pro!

Story

Xiao Wang went to the store. He wanted 3 apples, so he asked '{几个苹果？|Jǐ gè píngguǒ?}'. Then he saw a giant pile of oranges and asked '{多少橘子？|Duōshao júzi?}'. The shopkeeper smiled at his perfect grammar.

Word Web

{几|jǐ}{多少|duōshao}{个|gè}{岁|suì}{钱|qián}{人|rén}

Challenge

Ask 3 people today how many things they have using both {几|jǐ} and {多少|duōshao}.

Cultural Notes

Very common to use {多少|duōshao} for price.

Similar usage, but sometimes {几|jǐ} is used more broadly in casual speech.

They often map their own 'how many' directly to {几|jǐ} and {多少|duōshao}.

Both are ancient interrogatives.

Conversation Starters

“

{你家有几口人？|Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén?}

“

{这件衣服多少钱？|Zhè jiàn yīfu duōshao qián?}

“

{你今天有几个会议？|Nǐ jīntiān yǒu jǐ gè huìyì?}

“

{你觉得这个项目需要多少预算？|Nǐ juéde zhège xiàngmù xūyào duōshao yùsuàn?}

Journal Prompts

Describe your family using {几|jǐ}.
Write about a shopping trip using {多少|duōshao}.
Discuss your daily schedule using {几|jǐ}.
Reflect on your goals using {多少|duōshao}.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with {几|jǐ} or {多少|duōshao}.

你有___个朋友？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 几
Small number expected.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你有几本书？
Needs measure word.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

这件衣服几钱？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这件衣服多少钱？
Large number.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这个是多少钱？
Correct structure.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

How many students are there?

Answer starts with: 有多少...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 有多少学生？
Large group.
Match the question to the context. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A-Age, B-Price
Correct usage.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你家有几口人？ B: _____

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我家有三口人。
Full sentence.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use {多少|duōshao} + {时间|shíjiān}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 需要多少时间？
Correct structure.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with {几|jǐ} or {多少|duōshao}.

你有___个朋友？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 几
Small number expected.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你有几本书？
Needs measure word.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

这件衣服几钱？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这件衣服多少钱？
Large number.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

钱 / 多少 / 这个 / 是

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这个是多少钱？
Correct structure.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

How many students are there?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 有多少学生？
Large group.
Match the question to the context. Match Pairs

Match: A. {几岁|jǐ suì} B. {多少钱|duōshao qián}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A-Age, B-Price
Correct usage.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 你家有几口人？ B: _____

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我家有三口人。
Full sentence.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use {多少|duōshao} + {时间|shíjiān}

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 需要多少时间？
Correct structure.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

这个苹果____钱？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 多少
Translate to Chinese Translation

How many books do you have? (Small amount expected)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你有几本书？
Select the correct sentence Multiple Choice

Asking a child their age:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你几岁了？
Reorder the words Sentence Reorder

多少 / 学生 / 学校 / 有 / 你们

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你们学校有多少学生？
Fix the missing measure word Error Correction

你有几朋友？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你有几个朋友？
Match the question to the context Match Pairs

Match the usage:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: match_pairs
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

你要买____张票？ (Expects 2 tickets)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 几
Translate 'How many people are in China?' Translation

How many people are in China?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 中国有多少人？
Which is more natural for a phone number? Multiple Choice

Your phone number is...?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你的电话是多少？
Reorder the words Sentence Reorder

咖啡 / 多少 / 杯 / 你 / 喝

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 你喝多少杯咖啡？

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, {几|jǐ} is for small numbers. Use {多少|duōshao}.

Yes, it's mandatory.

Yes, it's optional.

Always {多少|duōshao}.

Use {多少|duōshao}.

Yes, for children.

Because prices are usually >10.

It's neutral and used everywhere.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish low

cuántos/cuántas

Chinese forces a scale choice.

French low

combien de

Chinese forces a scale choice.

German low

wie viele

Chinese scale vs German countability.

Japanese moderate

ikutsu/ikura

Chinese scale vs Japanese category.

Arabic low

kam

Chinese forces a scale choice.

Chinese high

{几|jǐ}/{多少|duōshao}

None.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Chinese Dates & Calendar: Year, Month, Day
Next
The 'What About...?' Particle (呢)

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