几 (several)

• Pinyin: jǐ
• Formation: 几 + Measure Word + Noun
• Hanzi breakdown: 几 = simplified form of 幾 (originally a pictograph of threads on a loom, suggesting counting)

Meaning

The word 几 (jǐ) means 'several' or 'a few' when used in statements, and 'how many' when used in questions. As a quantity word, it always appears before a measure word.

几 has two main functions depending on context. In questions (几个人？), it asks 'how many?' and expects a small number, usually under ten, as an answer. For larger numbers, 多少 is used instead. In statements (我买了几本书), it means 'several' or 'a few,' indicating a small indefinite quantity. 几 must always be followed by a measure word — you cannot say 几人 in modern Chinese; it must be 几个人. The quantity implied by 几 is typically between two and nine. For emphasis on the smallness of the quantity, 就几个 can be used.

Examples

1. 桌子上放着几本杂志。 There are a few magazines on the table.
2. 我在那个城市住了几年。 I lived in that city for several years.
3. 他带了几个朋友来参加聚会。 He brought several friends to the party.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我想请几个同事一起吃饭。
• 书架上还有几本没看过的小说。
• 他去过几个不同的国家旅游。

Don't Say

• 我买了几书。(几 must be followed by a measure word before the noun) → 我买了几本书。
• 公司有几百几个员工。(几百 means 'several hundred' — do not add 几 again before the measure word) → 公司有几百个员工。

Origin & History

几 originally depicted a small table or stool, and later developed the abstract meaning of 'how many' or 'several.' It has been used as an indefinite small number since classical Chinese.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal