Learn how to ask about age and quantity in Chinese. Understand the difference between 几 (jǐ) and 多少 (duōshao), and when to use 你几岁了？ vs 你多大了？ in real-life conversations.
In Chinese, words like "几 (jǐ)" and "多少 (duōshao)" are both used to ask about numbers, but they aren't always interchangeable. And when it comes to asking about someone's age, "你几岁了？" and "你多大了？" may seem similar but are used in different situations.
In this post, we'll break down:
🔸 How to ask about age in Chinese
🔸 The difference between 几 and 多少
🔸 Special phrases where grammar doesn't follow number size
Core Explanation
In Chinese, there are two common ways to ask someone's age:
"你几岁了？" (Nǐ jǐ suì le?) and
"你多大了？" (Nǐ duō dà le?).
The difference lies in who you're asking.
"你几岁了？" Nǐ jǐ suì le?
Usually used to ask young children their age.
The word "几 (jǐ)" is generally used when asking about small numbers, usually under 10.
That's why this question is more appropriate when talking to kids.
"你多大了？" Nǐ duō dà le?
More general and can be used to ask the age of people of any age—children, teenagers, or adults.
It's a more flexible and neutral way to ask someone how old they are.
💡 Tip: If you're not sure about the person's age group, "你多大了？" is the safer and more polite choice.
Further Explanation
Difference Between 几 (jǐ) & 多少 (duōshao)
When Asking About Quantity
In Chinese, both "几 (jǐ)" and "多少 (duōshao)" are used to ask about quantity, but they are used in slightly different ways depending on the situation and the number expected.
1. 几 (jǐ)
🔸 Used when you're expecting a small number, usually less than 10.
🔸 Often requires a measure word after it.
Nǐmen gōngsī yǒu jǐ gè rén?
你们公司有几个人？
How many people are in your company?
→ The speaker expects a small number under 10
2. 多少 (duōshao)
🔸 Used when the number could be large, unknown, or unspecified.
🔸 The measure word is optional after "多少".
Nǐmen gōngsī yǒu duōshǎo (gè) rén?
你们公司有多少（个）人？
How many people are in your company?
→ The speaker is not sure how many—could be 10, 100, or more.
| Word | Typical Use Case | Measure Word Required? |
|---|---|---|
| 几 (jǐ) | Small numbers (usually < 10) | Yes |
| 多少 (duōshǎo) | Large or unknown numbers | Optional |
⚠️ Special Cases Where "几" Is Still Used
Even when the number is expected to be greater than 10, "几" is used in certain fixed expressions:
🔸 几点 (jǐ diǎn): What time is it?
🔸 第几 (dì jǐ): Which one / What number in a sequence?
🔸 几月几号 (jǐ yuè jǐ hào): What is the date?
These are idiomatic structures where "几" is standard regardless of the actual number involved.
Text: Angelina Ramona
Layout: Angelina