How to Say ‘How many people’ in Simplified Chinese
有几位
yǒu jǐ wèi
[yǒu jǐ wèi]
💬 Usage Tip: For people, Chinese often asks 几位 rather than something like "how many persons" — 位 is the polite counting word for people. You'll hear the same 位 in answers like 两位 and 三位.
🇨🇳 In China: In restaurants, staff commonly ask 有几位 instead of a full sentence; it's normal and polite, not abrupt. Using 位 sounds more courteous than the more basic 个 for customers.
Phrase Breakdown
有
yǒu
[yǒu]
to have
To possess, own, or hold.
请问有几位用餐？
Excuse me, how many are dining?
几
jǐ
[jǐ]
several
An unspecified number more than two but not many.
请问有几位用餐？
Excuse me, how many are dining?
位
wèi
[wèi]
people
A term used to count individuals or guests.
请问有几位用餐？
Excuse me, how many are dining?
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