幾多
How Many / How Much
幾多 (gei2 do1) is the universal question word for quantity in Cantonese. It works for both countable items ('how many') and uncountable things like money or time ('how much').
How It Works
In Cantonese, question words stay in the same place as the answer. To ask about a quantity, you simply replace the number with 幾多 (gei2 do1).
1. Classifiers are Optional
Unlike most counting words in Cantonese, 幾多 (gei2 do1) does not strictly require a classifier. You can include one for clarity, but it is often omitted in casual speech.
Example: 幾多人 (gei2 do1 jan4) - 'How many people?' (No classifier)
Example: 幾多個人 (gei2 do1 go3 jan4) - 'How many people?' (With classifier)
2. 幾多 (gei2 do1) vs 幾 (gei2)
It is important to choose the right word based on the expected quantity:
• 幾多 (gei2 do1): Neutral. Use this when you have no idea of the amount or expect a large number.
• 幾 (gei2): Use this only when you expect a small number (usually 1 to 9). Note that 幾 must be followed by a classifier.
3. Asking About Time and Money
For money, 幾多 (gei2 do1) attaches directly to the noun.
Example: 幾多錢 (gei2 do1 cin2) - 'How much money?'
For time, while you can say 幾多點 (gei2 do1 dim2), it is much more natural to use the short form 幾點 (gei2 dim2). Note that 點 (dim2) functions as a classifier for hours here.
4. Quantity vs. Degree
Do not confuse 幾多 (gei2 do1) with 幾 (gei2). Use 幾多 for 'how many' (quantity) and 幾 + Adjective for 'how [adjective]' (degree), such as 幾大 (gei2 daai6) for 'how big'.
5. Register Note
幾多 (gei2 do1) is for spoken Cantonese. In formal writing, you will see 多少 (do1 siu2).
Examples (4)
- 呢件衫幾多錢呀？
How much is this shirt?
Word by Word: This [classifier] shirt how much money [particle]?
Here, 幾多 (gei2 do1) is used with 錢 (cin2) to ask for a price. The sentence-final particle 呀 (aa3) softens the question.
- 你屋企有幾多個人？
How many people are in your family?
Word by Word: You house have how many [classifier] people?
When asking about people, we use the general classifier 個 (go3) after 幾多.
- 你喺香港住咗幾多年？
How many years have you lived in Hong Kong?
Word by Word: You at Hong Kong live [perfective] how many years?
Years (年 nin4) act as their own measure word, so no extra classifier is needed after 幾多.
- 你要幾多呀？
How many/much do you want?
Word by Word: You want how much [particle]?
幾多 can stand alone if the object being discussed is already known from context.
Common Mistakes
Using 幾多 (gei2 do1) to ask 'how [adjective]'.
呢個幾多大？呢個幾大？To ask about the degree of an adjective (like 'how big' or 'how old'), use 幾 (gei2) + Adjective. 幾多 (gei2 do1) is strictly for asking about quantity (how many/much).
Using 幾 (gei2) without a classifier.
你有幾書？你有幾多本書？When 幾 (gei2) asks 'how many', it needs a classifier, as in 幾本書. The longer 幾多 (gei2 do1) can be used with or without one.
Using English word order (putting the question at the start).
幾多錢係呢個？呢個幾多錢？Cantonese is a wh-in-situ language, meaning the question word stays where the answer would be. You don't move 'how much' to the front like in English.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 幾多 (how many/how much) correctly, you need to understand that Cantonese question words stay in the same position as the information being replaced (wh-in-situ). Additionally, since 幾多 asks for quantity, you must know how to use classifiers with nouns and how to use sentence-final particles like 呀 to make the question sound natural.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice 幾多 in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Cantonese lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
