几 jǐ how many
how many; a few
How it came to be
A low table seen from the side: the top, and a leg coming down at each end. The number sense is borrowed and has nothing to do with the shape.
How it is used
- Asks 'how many' for small counts, expecting a low number - 几个? (jǐ ge) how many?, 几点? what time?
- Also means 'a few' - 十几 (shíjǐ) a dozen-odd, 几天 (jǐ tiān) a few days. Always take a measure word after it; for large or fully unknown counts use 多少 (duōshao) instead.
Characters built with 几
Words with 几
Example sentences
- 现在几点钟？ Xiànzài jǐ diǎn zhōng?What time is it now?
- 今天几月几日？ Jīntiān jǐ yuè jǐ rì?What's the date today?
- 你会说几种语言？ Nǐ huì shuō jǐ zhǒng yǔyán?How many languages do you speak?
- 这几年上海的变化很快。 Zhè jǐ nián Shànghǎi de biànhuà hěn kuài.Shanghai has changed rapidly the last few years.