几
how many? (when you expect a small number)
Structure
几 + 量词 + 名词？
What it means
几 asks “how many?” when you expect a small number, usually under ten.
How it is built
几 + measure word + noun？: 你有几个孩子？——我有两个孩子。 (How many children do you have? — Two.) The answer goes in the same place.
When to use it
For bigger numbers, or when you can't guess, use 多少 (lesson p-8): 你们学院有多少学生？ 多少 can skip the measure word; 几 can't.
Watch out
Like a number, 几 needs a measure word: ✗ 你有几孩子？ ✓ 你有几个孩子？ It already makes the question, so no 吗.
Examples
你家有几口人？
How many people are there in your family?
你有几个孩子？
How many children do you have?
你们班有几个外国学生？
How many foreign students are there in your class?
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 4: 我家有五口人 (How many in your family?)
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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