Asking about degree with "duo"

"How big? How busy? How cold?" In this article, we review how to ask questions like these about 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.

Subject + 多 + Adjective ?

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

Examples

• 她 多 高？How tall is she?
• 你 多 忙？ How busy are you?
• 他 多 重？How heavy is he?
• 外面 多 冷？How cold is it outside?
• 你们 公司 多 大？How big is your company?
• 她 多 漂亮？How beautiful is she?
• 川菜 多 好吃？How good is Sichuan food?
• 外面 多 热？How hot is it outside?
• 这 个 人 多 好？How good is this person?
• 你们 老板 多 大方？How generous is your boss?
• 她 爸 多 有钱？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