Discussion of 多少 [duō shao] how many, how much - Trainchinese

1 - 1. 多少 is used to ask for a number which is usually more than ten. This means that the person who asks the question estimates that the answer might be more than 10. The answer to a question with 多少 should be a numeral plus a measure word. For example the Q and A below: Q: 这些一共要多少钱？ [phr] How much do all these (together) cost? A: 三百一十八元。[phr] 318 yuan. 2. In a question where 多少 is used, measure word is not a necessity after 多少. For example: 王老师有多少(个)学生？ [phr] How many students does Mr./Ms. Wang have? 3. 多少 can also mean “many” in declarative sentence. 这片土地有我多少美好的回忆。 [phr] This piece of land has many beautiful memories of mine. * Please note that 多 and 几 can also be used to ask for a number. To know how to use them, please check out our notes on those entries.

1. '多少'一词常用于询问超出十的数字，此意表明提问者预计答案可能超过10。以'多少'提问的问题，其回答应包含数字与量词。例如以下问答示例：
Q：这些一共要多少钱？ [phr] 这些（总计）的费用是多少？
A：三百一十八元。[phr] 318元。
2. 当'多少'用于提问时，量词并非'多少'之后的必需项。例如：
王老师有多少（个）学生？ [phr] 王老师有多少名学生？
3. '多少'在陈述句中亦可以表示'许多'之意。例如：
这片土地有我多少美好的回忆。 [phr] 这片土地承载着我无数的珍贵回忆。
* 请注意，'多'与'几'亦可用于询问数字。欲了解其用法，请参阅我们关于这些条目的说明。