Comparing "henduo" and "xuduo"
很多 (hěn duō) and 许多 (xǔduō) both mean "a lot," "many," or "much," and often can be used interchangeably. Both are used in informal and formal situations. The key to understanding 很多 and 许多 is that when they are used as an object after a verb, or when attributed to something that you have a lot of, they can be used interchangeably. The difference is that only 很多 can be the predicate of a sentence.
| 很多 (hěn duō) | 许多 (xǔduō) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | a lot, many, much | a lot, many, much |
| Part of Speech | number word | number word |
| Formality | flexible | flexible |
Contents
Both 很多 and 许多 can modify nouns
很多 is more common, and is really just the adverb 很 plus the adjective 多. 很多比较灵活，可以做谓语、定语和补语，许多 is one word, 数词，修饰名字，只做定语，however.
做定语的时候，很多和许多可以互换，但是“许多”更正式一点。
- 早上 ， 公园 里 有 很 多 人 遛狗 。 In the morning, there are many people walking their dogs in the park.
- 学 好 汉语 需要 很 多 时间 。 It takes a lot of time to learn Chinese well.
- 最近 有 很 多 问题 ， 工作 的 问题 和 私人 的 问题 。 Lately there have been a lot of problems, both work and personal.
- 我 认识 很 多 汉字 。 I know a lot of Chinese characters.
- 这些 纪念品 引起 了 许多 美好 的 回忆 。 These souvenirs bring back a lot of good memories.
- 这 份 工作 让 我 积累 了 许多 经验 。 This job has given me a lot of experience.
- 我 在 北京 有 许多 老朋友 。 I have many old friends in Beijing.
- 这 家 工厂 生产 了 许多 产品 ， 但是 没有 卖 出去 。 This factory produces a lot of products, but they don't sell.
Only 很多 can be the predicate
- 春节的 时候，来 家里 的 客人 很 多。 During the Spring Festival, many people came to the house.
- 现在 儿童的 书 很 多，但是 有趣的 书 不 多。 There are a lot of books for children, but not many interesting books.
- 参加面试的人很 多，所以今天公司很热闹。 There are a lot of people attending interviews, so the company is very busy today.
Only 很多 can be a complement
- 最近 她 在 减肥，所以 瘦 了 很 多。 Recently, she has lost a lot of weight because she is losing weight.
- 她 最近 吃 得 很 多 ， 可能 是 怀孕 了 。 She has been eating a lot lately, probably because she is pregnant.
