Definition
几 (jǐ) asks about small quantities (usually under 10) and always requires a measure word (e.g., 几个). 多少 (duō shao) is more general and can be used without a measure word. As an indefinite number, 几 means 'a few' (a small number), while 两 (liǎng) is specifically 'two' and 些 (xiē) is an indefinite amount used after 一, 这, or 那.
(interrogative) how manyhow much(indefinite) severala few
Easily confused
- 季jìsound-alikeseason
- 记jìsound-aliketo remember; to memorize
- 集jísound-alike(noun) collection, anthology, collected works
- 鸡jīsound-alikechicken
- 及jísound-alike(conjunction) and; as well as (used in formal writing to connect nouns or noun phrases)
- 寄jìsound-aliketo send (by mail), to mail, to post
- 急jísound-alike(adjective) urgent; rapid; hurried
- 极jísound-alikeextremely
- 级jísound-alikelevel, grade, rank
- 既jìsound-alike(adverb) already (formal)
Examples
- 几？Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?How many books do you have?
- 几？Xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?What time is it now?
- 几。Wǒ hē le jǐ bēi shuǐ.I drank a few glasses of water.
Grammar
Browse more HSK 1 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.