Numbers and Measure WordsHSK 3
Using 几 to mean "several"
Use 几 before a measure word and a noun to express "a few" or "several," indicating a small indefinite quantity. Do not confuse this use with the interrogative 几 that asks "how many?"
Structure
几 + Measure Word + Noun
Examples
- 桌子上有几本书。Zhuō zi shàng yǒu jǐ běn shū.There are a few books on the table.
- 只有几个人去过那个地方。Zhǐ yǒu jǐ gè rén qù guò nà ge dì fāng.Only a few people have been to that place.
- 从上海到东京坐飞机只要几个小时。Cóng shàng hǎi dào dōng jīng zuò fēi jī zhǐ yào jǐ gè xiǎo shí.Flying from Shanghai to Tokyo only takes a few hours.
- 我每天都要喝几杯咖啡。Wǒ měi tiān dōu yào hē jǐ bēi kā fēi.Every day I have to drink a couple cups of coffee.
- 老板今天开了几个重要的会。Lǎo bǎn jīn tiān kāi le jǐ gè zhòng yào de huì.The boss had a few important meetings today.