hvor mange/hvor meget
How Many / How Much
Hvor mange = How many (Countable/Plural)
Hvor meget = How much (Uncountable/Singular)
How It Works
In Danish, asking about quantity depends on the type of noun that follows:
- Hvor mange: Used with plural nouns. It asks for a specific number. Even if the English equivalent is uncountable (like 'money'), if the Danish word is plural, you must use mange.
- Hvor meget: Used with uncountable (mass) nouns in the singular. This asks for an amount, volume, or degree.
Historically, common-gender mass nouns used hvor megen (e.g., megen tid), but in modern Danish, meget is used for all mass nouns regardless of their gender.
Note that meget can also function as an adverb meaning 'very' (e.g., han er meget glad), but when used with hvor, it specifically asks 'how much'.
Examples (5)
- Hvor mange biler har du?
How many cars do you have?
Word by Word: How many cars have you?
'Biler' (cars) is a plural countable noun, so we use 'hvor mange'.
- Hvor meget vand drikker du?
How much water do you drink?
Word by Word: How much water drink you?
'Vand' (water) is an uncountable mass noun, so we use 'hvor meget'.
- Hvor mange penge har du?
How much money do you have?
Word by Word: How many money have you?
In Danish, 'penge' is always plural, so it requires 'hvor mange' even though English uses 'how much'.
- Hvor meget koster det?
How much does it cost?
Word by Word: How much costs it?
When asking for a price or total amount without a specific noun, 'hvor meget' is used.
- Hvor mange gange har du været der?
How many times have you been there?
Word by Word: How many times have you been there?
'Gange' (times/occurrences) is plural and countable.
Common Mistakes
Using 'hvor meget' for the word 'money'.
Hvor meget penge har du?Hvor mange penge har du?In English, 'money' is uncountable. However, the Danish word 'penge' is grammatically plural, so you must use 'hvor mange'.
Using 'hvor mange' with mass nouns like water or coffee.
Hvor mange vand vil du have?Hvor meget vand vil du have?Liquids are mass nouns. Unless you are specifically referring to 'bottles' or 'glasses' of water, use 'hvor meget'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'hvor mange' and 'hvor meget' correctly, you need to understand the basic interrogative 'hvor' (where/how) and how Danish nouns are categorized into countable and uncountable groups, which relates to their gender and usage. Basic word order is also required to structure the question properly.
Related Patterns
- Question Word Questions
Hvor mange/meget are specific types of question word constructions starting with 'hvor'.
Level 1 - megetVery / a Lot (Meget)
Explains the use of 'meget' as an adverb meaning 'very' or 'a lot'.
Level 1 - nogen/noget/nogleSome / Any / Someone
These words also follow the count/mass distinction (some/any) and are often confused with mange/meget.
Level 2 - -er (flertal)Plural -er
Understanding plural endings is necessary to know when to use 'hvor mange'.
Level 2 - mere/mestMore / Most (Mere/mest)
The comparative forms of mange/meget also follow the count/mass distinction.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice hvor mange/hvor meget in Bubblegum
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