Introduction
几 (jǐ) asks "how many" when you expect a small answer — usually under ten. It takes the slot a number would take, which means it follows the same rule every number follows: a measure word has to come after it.
Overview
Structure: Subj. + Verb + 几 (jǐ) + Measure Word + Noun?
| Pattern | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Subj + V + 几 + MW + N | 你有几个孩子？(Nǐ yǒu jǐ ge háizi?) | How many children do you have? |
| 几 + MW + N | 几个人？(Jǐ ge rén?) | How many people? |
| 几点（clock time） | 现在几点？(Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?) | What time is it now? |
| 几号 / 星期几（date） | 今天几号？(Jīntiān jǐ hào?) | What's the date today? |
| 几岁（a child's age） | 你几岁？(Nǐ jǐ suì?) | How old are you? |
几 (jǐ) never stands alone — a measure word always follows:
- ✓ 几个人 (jǐ ge rén) — how many people
- ❌ 几人 (jǐ rén)
- The answer drops straight into the same slot: 三个人。(Sān ge rén.) — Three people.
- 点 (diǎn)、号 (hào)、岁 (suì) are measure words themselves, so 几点 (jǐ diǎn)、几号 (jǐ hào)、几岁 (jǐ suì) already obey the rule.
Examples
你有几个孩子？
Nǐ yǒu jǐ ge háizi?
How many children do you have?
现在几点？
Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?
What time is it now?
今天几号？
Jīntiān jǐ hào?
What's the date today?
你们家有几口人？
Nǐmen jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén?
How many people are there in your family?
你买了几本书？
Nǐ mǎi le jǐ běn shū?
How many books did you buy?
他几岁了？
Tā jǐ suì le?
How old is he now?
Usage Notes
- 几 (jǐ) expects a small answer, roughly under ten. For anything that could run high, use 多少 (duōshao).
- A sentence with 几 (jǐ) is already a question, so it never takes 吗 (ma). ❌ 你有几个孩子吗？(Nǐ yǒu jǐ ge háizi ma?)
- 几 (jǐ) also means "a few" in a statement: 我买了几本书。(Wǒ mǎi le jǐ běn shū.) — I bought a few books. Only the context tells you whether it asks or tells.
- Family size uses the measure word 口 (kǒu), not 个 (ge): 你们家有几口人？(Nǐmen jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén?)
- Age: 几岁 (jǐ suì) is for small children. For anyone older, ask 多大 (duō dà).