Meanings of 几
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About 几
Podcast: 几
Podcast: 几
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AI Study Notes for 几
Be careful not to confuse 几 with 多少 (duōshǎo), which also means 'how much' but is used in different contexts. 几 is typically used with countable nouns and in informal settings. Remember to use the correct tone when pronouncing it to avoid misunderstandings.
As an HSK Level 1 word, 几 appears frequently in basic conversational contexts. Students should focus on using it in questions about quantity and practice forming simple sentences with it to enhance their speaking skills.
Learners often mistakenly use 几 with uncountable nouns, such as saying 几水 (jī shuǐ - how many water), which is incorrect; the correct form would be 多少水 (duōshǎo shuǐ). Additionally, some learners forget to apply the correct tone, leading to confusion.
Pronunciation of 几
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Etymology of 几
Pictograph of a small table. In simplified Chinese 几 is also used to mean "how much", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 幾.
A small table; compare 丌
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 几
Pictograph of a small table. In simplified Chinese 几 is also used to mean "how much", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 幾.
- 1The giveawayA small table; compare 丌
- 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 几? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 几
Identify the Components
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How to say how much in Chinese
“how much” in Chinese is几
The character 几 (jī) primarily means 'how many' or 'how much' and is commonly used in questions to inquire about quantity. It can also refer to a 'small table' in certain contexts, although this usage is less common. Understanding its application in counting and asking questions is essential for effective communication.
When to use 几
Be careful not to confuse 几 with 多少 (duōshǎo), which also means 'how much' but is used in different contexts. 几 is typically used with countable nouns and in informal settings. Remember to use the correct tone when pronouncing it to avoid misunderstandings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 几 with uncountable nouns, such as saying 几水 (jī shuǐ - how many water), which is incorrect; the correct form would be 多少水 (duōshǎo shuǐ). Additionally, some learners forget to apply the correct tone, leading to confusion.
Write 几
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Practice writing 几 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 几
几 carries 7 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Complete the Sentence
你家有____口人？
How many people are there in your family?
Example Sentences for 几 (16)
Reorder the Sentence
How many people are there in your family?
Word Family of 几
Compound Meaning
What does 机 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 几
No, 几 should only be used with countable nouns. For uncountable nouns, use 多少 (duōshǎo) instead.
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