Use '多大' to ask 'how old' someone or something is.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Asks about age (how old).
- Used for people, animals, sometimes objects.
- Basic question for A1 level learners.
Overview
“多大”是汉语中一个非常基础且常用的疑问词，主要用于询问事物的年龄。它的使用范围广泛，可以用来询问人、动物，甚至在某些语境下可以用来询问物品的使用年限或大小。在基础汉语学习中，掌握“多大”的用法是进行日常交流的重要一步。
询问人或动物的年龄：这是“多大”最核心的用法。通常用在句子的谓语部分，前面加上主语，后面可以跟“了”。例如：你多大？他/她多大？小猫多大？
询问物品的尺寸或规模：虽然不如询问年龄常见，但“多大”有时也可以用来询问事物的尺寸，尤其是在非正式场合。例如：这个箱子多大？（这里的“多大”更侧重于尺寸，有时会用“多大尺寸”或“多大号”来更明确地表达）。
询问程度或范围：在某些口语化的表达中，“多大”可以用来询问程度，但这种情况相对较少，且可能与“多么”或“多”有重叠。例如：这件事有多大影响？（这里用“多大”询问影响的程度）。
学校环境：老师询问学生年龄，或者同学之间互相询问。例如：小明，你多大？
购物或询问物品信息：虽然不如“多少钱”或“是什么”常见，但在某些情况下，也可能涉及询问物品的“使用年限”或“尺寸”。例如：这个东西用了多大时间了？（询问使用时间）
“几”通常用于询问较小的、个位数或十位数以下的数量，例如：几点了？几个人？在询问年龄时，“几”通常用于询问儿童的年龄，例如：他几岁了？而“多大”则更普适，可以用于任何年龄段的人。可以说“他几岁了？”，也可以说“他多大了？”。
“多少”主要用于询问数量，例如：多少钱？多少人？“多大”则主要询问年龄或尺寸。虽然在询问尺寸时，“多大”和“多少”有时可能在非常口语化的语境下被混用（例如“这个箱子多少大？”），但这并不规范，通常“多大”用于年龄，“多少”用于数量。
“多大年龄”是“多大”的完整说法，更加书面化和正式一些，但口语中直接用“多大”更为常见和简洁。
Examples
你多大？
everydayHow old are you?
请问您多大年纪了？
formalMay I ask how old you are?
这小狗多大啦？
informalHow old is this puppy?
据调查，该地区儿童平均多大？
academicAccording to the survey, what is the average age of children in this region?
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
你多大？
How old are you?
他/她多大？
How old is he/she?
多大了
How old (already)
Often Confused With
'多少' is used to ask about quantity (how many/much), while '多大' is specifically for age or size.
'几岁' is often used for younger children, asking 'how many years old'. '多大' is more general and can be used for all ages.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
1. '多大' is primarily used to inquire about age. 2. It can be used for people, animals, and sometimes objects (referring to size). 3. The structure is typically 'Subject + 多大 (+ 了)?'. 4. Adding '了' at the end is common, especially when the age is known or implied.
Common Mistakes
1. Confusing '多大' (age/size) with '多少' (quantity). 2. Using '多大' to ask about price or time. 3. Forgetting to add '了' when it's contextually appropriate, making the sentence sound abrupt.
Tips
Ask age politely
When asking someone's age, especially elders, it's polite to add '您' or '贵庚' (very formal) if appropriate. However, '你多大？' is common among peers.
Avoid asking strangers directly
In some cultures, directly asking a stranger their age can be considered impolite. Gauge the situation and your relationship with the person.
Age is just a number
While asking age is common, remember that in modern Chinese society, like elsewhere, age is not the sole determinant of respect or capability.
Word Origin
The word '多大' combines '多' (duō - many, much, how) and '大' (dà - big, large, old). Together, they form a question asking 'how much old' or 'how big (in age)'.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, age is often a factor in social interactions, determining levels of respect and formality. Asking someone's age, especially in more traditional settings, can be a way to establish social hierarchy.
Memory Tip
Think of '多大' as asking 'how *big* (in age)' the person or thing is. The character '大' means big.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“多大”主要用来问年龄（How old?），比如“你多大？”。而“多少”主要用来问数量（How many/much?），比如“多少钱？”或“有多少人？”。
可以。“多大”适用于所有年龄段，包括小孩。也可以用“几岁”来问小孩的年龄，比如“他几岁了？”。
可以，但主要指尺寸或大小。比如“这个箱子多大？”。在询问物品的使用年限时，有时也会用到，但不如直接问年龄普遍。
通常需要。例如，问“你多大？”，回答“我十二岁。”。但有时在非常口语的语境下，如果意思明确，也可以省略，比如“我十二。”，但这不太规范。
Test Yourself
你的弟弟______？
“多大”用于询问年龄，符合句意。
询问“How old is the cat?”，正确的中文问句是？
“多大”用于询问动物的年龄。
，，，？
这是询问年龄最常见的句式。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '多大' to ask 'how old' someone or something is.
- Asks about age (how old).
- Used for people, animals, sometimes objects.
- Basic question for A1 level learners.
Ask age politely
When asking someone's age, especially elders, it's polite to add '您' or '贵庚' (very formal) if appropriate. However, '你多大？' is common among peers.
Avoid asking strangers directly
In some cultures, directly asking a stranger their age can be considered impolite. Gauge the situation and your relationship with the person.
Age is just a number
While asking age is common, remember that in modern Chinese society, like elsewhere, age is not the sole determinant of respect or capability.
Examples
4 of 4你多大？
How old are you?
请问您多大年纪了？
May I ask how old you are?
这小狗多大啦？
How old is this puppy?
据调查，该地区儿童平均多大？
According to the survey, what is the average age of children in this region?
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
