几 (jǐ) — (interrogative) how many; how much; (indefinite) several; a few
Definition
几 (jǐ) means 'how many' in questions (often with a measure word: 几个人?) and 'a few / several' in statements. For 'how many/how much' questions, use 几 for small numbers (under ten) and 多少 for any amount.
(interrogative) how manyhow much(indefinite) severala few
Examples
- 几？Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?How many books do you have?
- 几？Xiàn zài jǐ diǎn le?What time is it now?
- 几。Wǒ hē le jǐ bēi shuǐ.I drank a few glasses of water.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 幾; 几 is its simplified writing.
- 𢆶𢆶𢆶silk threads; little things
- 戍戍shùto guard against
The traditional form 幾 puts 𢆶 (silk threads; little things) and 戍 (to guard against) together to show watching over the fine details; the simplified 几 is a later abbreviation.
Grammar
Appears in
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