多 + 形容词
how (tall, far, heavy, big or old)?
Structure
主语 + （有） + 多 + 高／远／重／大 ？
What it means
多 before an adjective asks “how …?”: how tall, how far, how heavy, how big or how old.
How it is built
Subject (+ 有) + 多 + adjective？: 你哥哥多高？ (How tall is your older brother?) 英国有多远？ (How far away is Britain?) 这个手机多重？
When to use it
有 before 多 is optional and adds a little emphasis. Heights are said in metres, 一米八五 (米 = metre, which comes later), or in centimetres, digit by digit: 185 (yī bā wǔ).
Watch out
Don't use 多少 or 几 here: they ask for a number of things (多少人, 几个孩子). ✗ 你哥哥几高？ ✓ 你哥哥多高？
Examples
你哥哥多高？——很高，185。
How tall is your older brother? — Very tall: 1.85 metres.
英国有多远？
How far away is Britain?
这个手机多重？
How heavy is this phone?
北京有多大？
How big is Beijing?
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 5: 你今年多大 (How old are you?)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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