If you’re learning Chinese and have ever wondered, “When to Use 几 and When to Use 多少?” — you’re definitely not alone. This is one of the most common confusions among beginners. Both words can be translated as “how many” in English, but their usage differs significantly depending on context and the estimated quantity.
In this article, we’ll break down the difference between 几 (jǐ) and 多少 (duō shǎo), explain how to use each correctly, and provide clear examples to help you confidently navigate this fundamental part of Chinese grammar.
1. Understanding the Meaning of 几 and 多少
Both 几 and 多少 are interrogative pronouns that ask about quantity. However, the main difference lies in the expected range of numbers.
几 (jǐ) is used when you’re asking about a small number, typically under 10. It’s commonly used when the speaker already has an idea of the quantity but needs to confirm.
Importantly, 几 always requires a measure word between it and the noun.
In contrast, 多少 (duō shǎo) is used when the quantity is unknown or possibly large. It’s an open-ended way to ask “how many” without implying any expectation of the number. In many cases, 多少 can be used without a measure word, especially when asking about prices or general amounts.
2. When to Use 几?
Use 几 when you’re asking about a small, countable number — usually something less than 10. This is common in everyday, casual contexts where the speaker assumes the quantity is relatively low.
Examples:
你有几本书？
(Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?)
→ “How many books do you have?”
This suggests the speaker assumes the person has just a few books.他买了几个苹果。
(Tā mǎi le jǐ gè píngguǒ.)
→ “He bought a few apples.”
Likely referring to 2–3 apples.今天来了几个人？
(Jīntiān lái le jǐ gè rén?)
→ “How many people came today?”
Used when expecting a small group.
Remember: 几 must always be followed by a measure word, such as:
- 个 for general items
- 本 for books
- 支 for pens
- 辆 for vehicles
Incorrect usage example:
⛔ 你有几书？ → ❌ This is incorrect because it lacks a measure word.
✅ Correct: 你有几本书？
几 is also frequently used in questions about age when talking to children, e.g.:
你几岁？(How old are you?) — typically used when expecting a small age.
3. When to Use 多少?
Use 多少 (duō shǎo) when:
- You don’t know the quantity at all.
- The number could be large or unspecified.
- You want to ask in a more open-ended way.
This makes 多少 the go-to choice in situations like shopping, asking for prices, or dealing with large groups.
Examples:
你有多少本书？
(Nǐ yǒu duōshǎo běn shū?)
→ “How many books do you have?”
Here, the speaker has no idea — it could be 20, 50, or more.学校里有多少学生？
(Xuéxiào lǐ yǒu duōshǎo xuéshēng?)
→ “How many students are in the school?”
Obviously referring to a large number.这个多少钱？
(Zhège duōshǎo qián?)
→ “How much is this?”
This is one of the most commonly used phrases in real-life Chinese.
In many cases, 多少 can be used without a measure word, especially when the noun is general or the context is clear. However, adding a measure word is still grammatically correct and sometimes necessary.
4. Compare the Two: Which to Use When?
Let’s go through a few side-by-side examples to make things clearer.
Example 1:
你有几本书？
→ Asking when you assume the number is small.你有多少本书？
→ Asking when you have no idea or assume the number could be large.
Example 2:
你几岁？
→ Usually for young children (under 10).你多少岁？
→ More polite or used for adults.
Example 3:
他吃了几个饺子。
→ He ate a few dumplings (likely 3–5).他吃了多少个饺子？
→ How many dumplings did he eat? (Could be 10, 20…)
5. Common Mistakes Learners Make
Some typical errors include:
Using 几 when the actual quantity is large
⛔ 你有几个学生？ (if someone has 500 students)
→ Should be: 你有多少个学生？Forgetting the measure word with 几
⛔ 你有几书？
→ Correct: 你有几本书？Using 多少 in a context where the quantity is clearly small
⛔ 你吃了多少个饺子？ (when it’s known the person only ate 2–3)
→ More appropriate: 你吃了几个饺子？
6. A Quick Trick to Remember
Here’s an easy way to remember:
- 几 → think “a few” → small numbers, typically under 10
- 多少 → think “how much/many” → larger or unknown amounts
If you have a rough idea that the quantity is small, use 几.
If you have no idea or think it might be a lot, go with 多少.
7. Final Thoughts
Knowing when to use 几 and when to use 多少 is essential if you want to speak Chinese naturally and correctly. Though both words translate to “how many” in English, they serve different roles depending on what you’re asking and how certain you are about the quantity.
To sum up:
- Use 几 when you expect a small number and remember to add a measure word.
- Use 多少 when the quantity is unknown or large, and it’s okay to use it with or without a measure word depending on the sentence.
With regular practice and attention to real-life conversations, you’ll soon use 几 and 多少 like a native speaker. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes — that’s how language learning happens.