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多
duō
many
这里有多少人？
How many people are here?
neutral
A large number of people or things; many
他有多本书。
He has many books.
多个城市受到影响。
Many cities were affected.
Used before nouns to indicate a large quantity. Often paired with measure words (e.g., 多个人, 多本书).
neutral
More than the expected or specified amount; over
他比我大多了。
He is much older than me.
这件事多重要啊！
How important this is!
Often used in comparative or exclamatory sentences. Can be paired with adjectives (e.g., 多好, 多远).
neutral
How (to what extent)
你多大了？
How old are you?
这条路多长？
How long is this road?
Used in questions to ask about quantity, degree, or extent. Often paired with adjectives or verbs.
neutral
Much more; far more
这本书比那本多有趣。
This book is much more interesting than that one.
他多聪明啊！
How smart he is!
Used in exclamatory sentences to emphasize a high degree.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Questions
Use 多 before adjectives or nouns in questions to ask about degree or quantity. For example: 你多高？ (How tall are you?) vs. 你有多高？ (How tall are you exactly?).
Gold Rule
Measure Words
When using 多 to describe a quantity of countable nouns, always include a measure word. For example: 多个人 (many people), 多本书 (many books), but not 多人 or 多书.
Word Origin
The character 多 is composed of two parts: 夕 (meaning 'evening' or 'moon') and 夕 repeated, suggesting 'many' or 'abundant'. The original meaning likely referred to the abundance of moonlight, later extended to mean 'many' in general.
Usage Notes
1. 多 is often used in questions to ask about quantity or degree (e.g., 多少, 多大). 2. In exclamatory sentences, it emphasizes a high degree (e.g., 多好啊！). 3. When used before a noun, it requires a measure word (e.g., 多个人, 多本书). 4. In comparisons, it often pairs with 比 (e.g., 比...多).
Word Breakdown
夕
evening/moon
root夕
evening/moon
root汉英词典