幾多 + Classifier
How Many
Use 幾多 (gei2 do1) + Classifier + Noun to ask 'how many'. For mass nouns like money or time, the classifier is often omitted.
How It Works
In Cantonese, asking 'how many' usually requires a classifier. The basic structure is: 幾多 (gei2 do1) + Classifier + Noun.
- Countable Nouns: These normally take the specific classifier, though some common nouns such as 人 are often used without one (幾多人). For example, to ask 'how many books', you use the book classifier 本 (bun2): 幾多本書 (gei2 do1 bun2 syu1).
- Mass Nouns: For things like money 錢 (cin2) or time 時間 (si4 gaan3), you can use 幾多 (gei2 do1) directly without a classifier: 幾多錢 (gei2 do1 cin2).
- Shortened Forms: When asking for prices, 幾多錢 (gei2 do1 cin2) is often shortened to 幾錢 (gei2 cin2) in natural speech.
- Omitting the Noun: If the object you are talking about is already known, you can drop the noun and just say 幾多 + Classifier (e.g., 你要幾多個？ - How many [of them] do you want?).
- Tone Change: In spoken Cantonese, the second syllable of 幾多 is frequently changed to the second tone: gei2 do2. This variant pronunciation is common in speech.
- Comparison with Mandarin: Avoid using 多少 (do1 siu2). While it means the same thing, it sounds like you are reading a book. 幾多 (gei2 do1) is the natural spoken form.
Examples (6)
- 你想要幾多個？
How many do you want?
Word by Word: You want how-many [classifier]?
The noun can be omitted if it's clear from the context.
- 呢件衫幾錢呀？
How much is this shirt?
Word by Word: This [classifier] shirt how-much-money [particle]?
In daily conversation, 幾多錢 (gei2 do1 cin2) is very often shortened to 幾錢 (gei2 cin2).
- 你有幾多本小學書呀？
How many primary school books do you have?
Word by Word: You have how-many [classifier] primary-school book [particle]?
Uses the specific classifier 本 (bun2) for books.
- 呢度有幾多個人？
How many people are here?
Word by Word: This place has how-many [classifier] person?
Uses the general classifier 個 (go3) for people.
- 你買咗幾多隻雞呀？
How many chickens did you buy?
Word by Word: You buy [perfective] how-many [classifier] chicken [particle]?
Uses the classifier 隻 (zek3) for animals.
- 你有幾多時間？
How much time do you have?
Word by Word: You have how-much time?
Time is a mass noun and does not require a classifier here.
Common Mistakes
Thinking you always need a classifier after 幾多.
Different Meaning幾多書？ (gei2 do1 syu1?)幾多本書？ (gei2 do1 bun2 syu1?)幾多 (gei2 do1) can go directly before a noun (幾多人, 幾多書), and with a classifier (幾多本書) it counts units. Both are natural, so the classifier is optional here.
Using the Mandarin word 多少 (do1 siu2) in speech.
Different Meaning你有多少個朋友？你有幾多個朋友？While 多少 is understood, it sounds like Standard Written Chinese. 幾多 is the natural spoken Cantonese term.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use '幾多 + CL', a learner needs to understand the basic question word for quantity, how classifiers are used to categorize nouns, and the general word order for questions in Cantonese.
Related Patterns
- 幾 + ClassifierA Few
幾 (gei2) is used when you expect a small number (usually under 10), whereas 幾多 (gei2 do1) is neutral.
Level 1 - Classifier Basics
幾多 (gei2 do1) requires knowledge of which classifier to use for different nouns.
Foundations - Counting frame
This is the statement form used to answer a 幾多 (gei2 do1) question.
Level 1 - Question Words Stay In Place
Like other question words, 幾多 (gei2 do1) stays in the same position as the answer (it doesn't move to the front of the sentence).
Level 1 - 個General Classifier
The most common classifier used with 幾多 (gei2 do1) for general objects and people.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice 幾多 + Classifier in Bubblegum
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