多少 vs 几 (duōshao vs jǐ): how many or how much?
Both 多少 and 几 ask about quantity, but 几 is used when the expected answer is a small number (typically under 10), while 多少 can be used for any quantity. 几 implies a specific, countable small number and requires a measure word, whereas 多少 is open-ended and can also handle uncountable amounts such as money or time. Note that 几 also appears as a numeral prefix in expressions like 几十 (tens) and 几百 (hundreds), but in that role it is not an interrogative.
The main distinction between 多少 and 几 lies in the expected size of the answer. 几 (jǐ) is used when you expect the answer to be a small number, generally under 10, and it implies a specific countable quantity – thus it nearly always requires a measure word. 多少 (duōshao) is more general: it can be used for any number, from very small to very large, and it is also the standard way to ask about uncountable amounts like money, time, or distance. While 几 can also appear as a numeral prefix in compound numbers (e.g., 几十, 几百), that usage is not interrogative; the small-number restriction applies only when 几 is used as a question word.
When to use each
Use 多少 when the expected answer could be any number, large or small, or when you are asking about an uncountable amount such as money, time, or distance. It is also the default choice when you have no specific expectation about the size of the answer.
Besides its interrogative use, 多少 can also mean 'somewhat' or 'more or less' in expressions like 多少有点儿 (somewhat), but that is a secondary meaning not directly related to quantity questions.
Use 几 when you expect the answer to be a small number (typically under 10). It implies a specific, countable quantity and almost always requires a measure word. 几 is also used in questions about ordinal numbers (e.g., 第几) and time (e.g., 几点).
Note that 几 also functions as a numeral prefix meaning 'several' or 'a few' in compound numbers like 几十 (tens) and 几百 (hundreds). In those cases it is not an interrogative and the small-number restriction does not apply.
At a glance
| 多少 | 几 | |
|---|---|---|
| Expected quantity | Any number, often large or unknown | Small number (typically <10) |
| Measure word required (as interrogative) | Optional (often omitted with countable nouns) | Almost always required |
| Usage with uncountable nouns | Common (money, time, distance, etc.) | Rare (usually only with countable nouns) |
| Interrogative vs. numeral prefix | Only interrogative | Can also be numeral prefix (e.g., 几十, 几百) |
Examples
- 多少你给我多少钱？Nǐ gěi wǒ duōshao qián?How much money are you giving me?Uncountable (money), no specific expectation about the amount.
- 几你有几个苹果？Nǐ yǒu jǐ ge píngguǒ?How many apples do you have?Expects a small number; measure word 个 is required.
- 多少你们学校有多少学生？Nǐmen xuéxiào yǒu duōshao xuéshēng?How many students does your school have?Could be a large number, so 多少 is appropriate.
- 几现在几点了？Xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?What time is it now?几 is used with hours (1-12, a small range).
- 几这栋楼有几层？Zhè dòng lóu yǒu jǐ céng?How many floors does this building have?Expects a small number; if the building has many floors, 多少 would be more natural.
Common mistakes
- Using 几 when expecting a large number, e.g., *你们公司有几人？ for a company with hundreds of employees. Correct: 你们公司有多少人？
- Omitting the measure word with 几 in a question, e.g., *你有几书？ Correct: 你有几本书？
- Using 多少 with a countable noun when a small number is expected and a measure word is necessary, e.g., *你有多少苹果？ (grammatically okay, but 几 is more natural if you expect a small number).
- Thinking that 几 cannot appear in compound numbers like 几十 – it can, but only as a numeral prefix meaning 'several tens', not as an interrogative.
FAQ
- When do I use 多少 vs 几?
- Use 几 when you expect the answer to be a small number (under 10) and you need a specific count with a measure word. Use 多少 for any quantity, especially when the number could be large or when asking about uncountable things like money, time, or distance.
- Can I use 几 for numbers above 10?
- Only when 几 is used as a numeral prefix in expressions like 几十 (tens) or 几百 (hundreds). In interrogative questions, 几 expects an answer under 10.
- Do I need a measure word with 多少?
- Not always. With countable nouns, 多少 can be used with or without a measure word, though including it is common. With uncountable nouns, no measure word is used.
- Is there a difference in politeness between 多少 and 几?
- No, both are neutral. However, 多少 is slightly more formal in contexts like asking about price or quantity, but in everyday conversation they are equally polite.