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 多 忙？ Nǐ duō máng?How busy are you?
• 他 多 重？Tā duō zhòng?How heavy is he?
• 外面 多 冷？Wàimiàn duō lěng?How cold is it outside?
• 你们 公司 多 大？Nǐmen gōngsī duō dà?How big is your company?
• 她 多 漂亮？Tā duō piàoliang?How beautiful is she?
• 川菜 多 辣？Chuāncài duō là?How spicy is Sichuan food?
• 外面 多 热？Wàimiàn duō rè?How hot is it outside?
• 这 个 人 多 好？Zhè ge rén duō hǎo?How good is this person?
• 你们 老板 多 大方？Nǐmen lǎobǎn duō dàfāng?How generous is your boss?
• 她 爸 多 有钱？Tā bà duō yǒu qián?How rich is her father?

"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