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sking About Degree with “多” (duō)

Chinese grammar explanation of using '多' (duō) to ask about the degree of an adjective.
Mandarin Chinese Language

sking About Degree with “多” (duō)

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes


Similar to: Intensifying with “多” (duō) (A2), Doing something more with “多” (duō) (B1), Indicating a number in excess (B1)

Used for: Asking questions, Adding more explanation, Expressing quality

Keywords: 多 (duō)

How big? How busy? How cold? Ask questions like these regarding the degree of an adjective with 多 (duō). This is just one of the many uses of this word.

Contents

  1. Structure
  2. Examples
  3. Exceptions
  4. Sources and further reading

Structure

多 (duō) is often used to ask about the degree or extent of something.

Structure:

Copy codeSubj. + 多 + Adj. ?

This is an easy way to ask “How [adjective] is [subject]?”

Examples

Example 1:

  • 她多高? (Tā duō gāo?)
    • Pronunciation: Tā duō gāo?
    • Meaning: How tall is she?

Example 2:

  • 你家多大? (Nǐ jiā duō dà?)
    • Pronunciation: Nǐ jiā duō dà?
    • Meaning: How large is your house?

Example 3:

  • 你的孩子多大? (Nǐ de háizi duō dà?)
    • Pronunciation: Nǐ de háizi duō dà?
    • Meaning: How old is your child?

Example 4:

  • 黄河多长? (Huánghé duō cháng?)
    • Pronunciation: Huánghé duō cháng?
    • Meaning: How long is the Yellow River?

Example 5:

  • 你家离这儿多远? (Nǐ jiā lí zhèr duō yuǎn?)
    • Pronunciation: Nǐ jiā lí zhèr duō yuǎn?
    • Meaning: How far is your house from here?

Example 6:

  • 你要在美国待多久? (Nǐ yào zài Měiguó dāi duō jiǔ?)
    • Pronunciation: Nǐ yào zài Měiguó dāi duō jiǔ?
    • Meaning: How long are you going to stay in the USA?

Example 7:

  • 这些东西多重? (Zhèxiē dōngxi duō zhòng?)
    • Pronunciation: Zhèxiē dōngxi duō zhòng?
    • Meaning: How heavy are these things?

Example 8:

  • 你知道我们现在多胖吗? (Nǐ zhīdào wǒmen xiànzài duō pàng ma?)
    • Pronunciation: Nǐ zhīdào wǒmen xiànzài duō pàng ma?
    • Meaning: Do you know how fat we are now?

Example 9:

  • 你知道这里的冬天多冷吗? (Nǐ zhīdào zhèlǐ de dōngtiān duō lěng ma?)
    • Pronunciation: Nǐ zhīdào zhèlǐ de dōngtiān duō lěng ma?
    • Meaning: Do you know how cold it is here in winter?

Example 10:

  • 你知道上海的房子多贵吗? (Nǐ zhīdào Shànghǎi de fángzi duō guì ma?)
    • Pronunciation: Nǐ zhīdào Shànghǎi de fángzi duō guì ma?
    • Meaning: Do you know how expensive housing is in Shanghai?

Exceptions

大 (dà) and 小 (xiǎo) can also be used to describe ages. The question phrase 多大 (duō dà) is often used to ask “how old.” However, it is an informal way to ask, usually reserved for peers, close friends, or children. The phrase 几岁 (jǐ suì) is most often used for children young enough to display their ages on one hand. Adults do not normally directly ask each other’s ages in a formal setting.

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