几 (several)

• 拼音: jǐ
• 结构: 几 + Measure Word + Noun
• 汉字拆解: 几 = simplified form of 幾 (originally a pictograph of threads on a loom, suggesting counting)

含义

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.

例句

1. 桌子上放着几本杂志。
2. 我在那个城市住了几年。
3. 他带了几个朋友来参加聚会。

用法指南

语境: spoken, written, everyday

语气: descriptive

正确说法

• 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。

错误说法

• 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。

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal