Learn how to ask about distance, age, height, weight, length and other measurements using the question word 多 together with stative verbs (adjectives)
1 Basic Question Pattern
In Chinese, asking about measurements (distance, age, height, length, etc.) can be done by using the question word 多 (duō) together with the appropriate stative verb (adjective).
有 (yǒu) is the main verb in sentences which introduce measurement, but it is often omitted in casual speech.
The basic structure for forming measurement questions is:
Key Grammar Points
The word 有 can be included or omitted without changing the meaning:
Both sentences mean “How tall are you?”
In this structure, 多 functions as an interrogative meaning “how” when combined with adjectives:
2 Forming Measurement Questions
The structure Subject + (有) + 多 + Adjective is used to ask about various measurements. The specific meaning depends on the adjective used after 多.
Common Measurement Questions
| Measurement Type | Chinese | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Age (people) |
他家的孩子多大？
|
How old is his kid? |
| Height (building) |
澳门塔（有）多高？
|
How tall is the Macao Tower? |
| Weight (object) |
这个箱子多重？
|
How heavy is this box? |
| Length (river) |
长江多长？
|
How long is the Yangtze River? |
| Distance (place) |
从北京到上海多远？
|
How far is it from Beijing to Shanghai? |
大 (dà)
Example: 你多大？ (How old are you?)
高 (gāo)
Example: 这座山多高？ (How tall is this mountain?)
重 (zhòng)
Example: 你的行李多重？ (How heavy is your luggage?)
长 (cháng)
Example: 这条路多长？ (How long is this road?)
远 (yuǎn)
Example: 超市多远？ (How far is the supermarket?)
热 (rè)
Example: 今天多热？ (How hot is it today?)
3 Answering Measurement Questions
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4 Usage Notes and Patterns
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Practice Exercises
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