Asking about degree with "duo"

"How big? How busy? How cold?" In this article, we review how to ask questions like these regarding the degree of an adjective with 多 (duō). This is just one of the many uses of this character.

Structure

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

Subj. + 多 + Adj. ?

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

Examples

• 她 多 高？Tā duō gāo? How tall is she?
• 你家 多 大？Nǐ jiā duō dà? How large is your house?
• 你 的 小孩 多 大？ Nǐ de xiǎohái duō dà? How old is your child?
• 黄河 多 长？Huánghé duō cháng? How long is the Yellow River?
• 你家 离 这儿 多 远？Nǐ jiā lí zhèr duō yuǎn? How far is your house away from here?
• 你 要 在 美国 待 多 久？Nǐ yào zài Měiguó dāi duō jiǔ? How long are you going to stay in America?
• 这 些 东西 多 重？Zhè xiē dōngxi duō zhòng? How heavy are these things?
• 你 知道 她 现在 多 胖 吗？Nǐ zhīdào tā xiànzà duō pàng ma?Do you know how fat she is now?
• 你 知道 这里 的 冬天 多 冷 吗？Nǐ zhīdào zhèlǐ de dōngtiān duō lěng ma? Do you know how cold it is here in winter?
• 你 知道 上海 的 房子 多 贵 吗？Nǐ zhīdào Shànghǎi de fángzi duō guì ma? Do you know how expensive housing is in Shanghai?

"大 (dà)" and "小 (xiǎo)" can also be used to describe ages. "你多大? (nǐ duōdà)" is often used to ask "how old are you?" However, it is an informal way to ask, usually for close friends or children. Usually, "你几岁? (nǐ jǐ suì)" is used among peers.

See also

• Doing something more with "duo"
• Intensifying with "duo"

Sources and further reading

• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 135-7) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 233) →buy
• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 207-210, 301) →buy