Basic Meaning and Usage
The character 几 (jī) is commonly used in Mandarin to ask about small quantities or an unspecified small number. It often appears in questions to mean "how many" or "a few." It can also refer to a small table, but this meaning is less common in everyday conversation.
Common Patterns and Collocations
- 几 + measure word + noun: Used to ask about quantity, e.g., 几个人 (how many people), 几本书 (a few books).
- 这几 + time word: Refers to a recent small number of days or times, e.g., 这几天 (these few days).
Usage Notes
When used as a question word, 几 usually expects a small number as an answer, typically less than ten. It is often confused with 多少 (duōshao), which can ask about larger or indefinite quantities. 几 is more casual and specific to small counts.
Common Collocations
Avoid confusing 几 (small number) with 机 (machine) or 记 (remember), which sound similar but have different meanings.