几位？
How many?
Wörtlich: How many [polite measure word for people]?
Use `几位？` to politely ask for a headcount in any hosting or service-related situation.
In 15 Sekunden
- The standard way to ask 'How many people?' in restaurants.
- Uses a polite measure word to show respect to guests.
- Answer simply with a number followed by the same measure word.
Bedeutung
This is the standard, polite way to ask 'How many people?' when you are greeting guests or customers. It is the first thing you will hear when walking into a Chinese restaurant.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Entering a busy hotpot restaurant
您好，请问几位？
Hello, how many in your party?
Answering the host at a cafe
两位，谢谢。
Two people, thanks.
A teacher welcoming students to a small seminar
今天到场的有几位？
How many (honored) guests have arrived today?
Kultureller Hintergrund
The word `位` (wèi) originally referred to a position or a throne. By using it as a measure word for people, you are linguistically giving the person a 'place' of honor. It is a staple of the service industry 'Polite Language' (礼貌用语) movement in China.
The Finger Trick
If you are in a noisy restaurant, hold up your fingers while saying the number. It's totally normal in China!
Don't count yourself with '位' too much
While you can answer '三位', using '位' for yourself in other contexts can sound a bit arrogant. It's mostly for others.
In 15 Sekunden
- The standard way to ask 'How many people?' in restaurants.
- Uses a polite measure word to show respect to guests.
- Answer simply with a number followed by the same measure word.
What It Means
几位？ is the short, polite way to ask for a headcount. The word 几 means 'how many' for small numbers. The word 位 is a respectful measure word for people. Together, they create a welcoming vibe. It is much softer than asking 'how many people' directly. Think of it as 'How many in your party?'
How To Use It
You use this when you are hosting or serving others. It is usually a question, so your voice should go up at the end. When you hear it, you just answer with a number plus 位. For example, 三位 means 'three people.' It is quick, efficient, and very common in daily life.
When To Use It
Use this in any service industry setting. It is perfect for restaurants, cafes, or hotel lobbies. You can also use it if you are hosting a party at home. It works when you see a group approaching your table. It is the ultimate 'welcome' phrase for anyone in a hosting role.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this with your very close friends in a messy setting. It might sound a bit too formal or like you are their waiter. Avoid using it for inanimate objects; 位 is strictly for humans you want to respect. If you are counting enemies or people you dislike, use 个 instead. Using 位 implies a level of courtesy and social grace.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, how you count people matters. Using 位 instead of 个 shows you have good manners. It acknowledges the dignity of the guests. It reflects the deep-rooted 'hospitality culture' found across Asia. Even a busy street-side noodle shop will try to use 位 to make you feel valued. It is a small word that carries a lot of social weight.
Common Variations
You might hear 请问几位？ which adds 'may I ask' at the start. This is the gold standard for politeness. In very casual spots, they might just say 几个？ but it sounds a bit blunt. If someone is being extra fancy, they might say 您一共几位？ meaning 'how many of you are there in total?' Stick to 几位？ and you will always sound like a pro.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is the bread and butter of polite social interaction in China. While it's technically neutral, its use of the honorific measure word `位` elevates it above basic daily speech. Always use it when you want to sound respectful to a group.
The Finger Trick
If you are in a noisy restaurant, hold up your fingers while saying the number. It's totally normal in China!
Don't count yourself with '位' too much
While you can answer '三位', using '位' for yourself in other contexts can sound a bit arrogant. It's mostly for others.
The Power of '位'
Using '位' instead of '个' is the easiest way to make your Chinese sound 'expensive' and well-educated instantly.
Beispiele
6您好，请问几位？
Hello, how many in your party?
The most common way you will hear this phrase used by a host.
两位，谢谢。
Two people, thanks.
A perfect, polite response using the same measure word.
今天到场的有几位？
How many (honored) guests have arrived today?
Using '位' shows the teacher respects the students' presence.
晚上确定几位？我好订位。
How many for tonight? So I can book the table.
Efficient and clear for planning purposes.
天呐，你们到底几位啊？
Gosh, exactly how many of you are there?
Using the polite '位' sarcastically when your friends bring uninvited guests.
门外还有几位在等？
How many more are waiting outside?
Used to check the status of a waiting list.
Teste dich selbst
You are a waiter. A family walks in. What do you say?
欢迎光临！请问 ___ ？
`几位` is the polite and standard way to ask for the number of guests.
Someone asks you '几位？' and you are with your parents. How do you answer 'Three people'?
___ 位。
You simply provide the number before the measure word `位`.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Politeness Levels of Counting People
Using '个' (gè) - basic and blunt.
几个人？
The standard '几位' - perfect for most social settings.
几位？
Adding honorifics and polite verbs.
请问您一共几位？
Where you will hear '几位？'
Restaurant Entrance
Greeting by a host
Coffee Shop
Ordering for a group
Meeting Room
Checking attendance
Dinner Party
Hosting friends
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenMostly, yes, but it is used anywhere you are a guest, like at a bank, a hotel, or a formal event.
You can, but it sounds a bit like you're counting objects rather than people. 几位 is much nicer.
Just say 一位 (yí wèi). It sounds much more confident than just saying 'one'.
It literally means 'position' or 'seat.' You are basically asking 'How many seats/positions?'
It's not 'rude,' but it's less polished. Using 位 shows you understand Chinese social etiquette.
In a restaurant, no. 几位？ is a complete thought. You don't need to say 'There are how many people?'
Yes, if you are introducing them to someone or booking a table for them, 这几位是我的家人 is very polite.
Usually 几 is for numbers under 10. If it's a huge crowd, you might hear 多少位？ (duō shǎo wèi).
Yes, you can use it for children to be polite to the parents, though 个 is also very common for kids.
Only if you are being very funny. Normally, pets use 只 (zhī). Using 位 for a dog would be like calling him 'Sir Dog'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
请问
May I ask...
这边请
This way, please.
一共
In total.
等一下
Wait a moment.
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