In Chinese grammar, 多 duō can be used to express a number in excess of a certain amount by adding it after the number. It is translated as “more than…” or “over…” in English.
Where exactly 多 duō goes depends on the number: after a round number ending in 0, it comes before the measure word; after a single digit, it comes after the measure word.
1Number Ending in 0 + 多 duō + Measure Word + Noun
When the number ends in 0 (10, 20, 150, 30,000…), 多 duō goes right after the number, before the measure word. The “extra” is less than the next ten — or the next step of that round number.
我們公司有十多個員工。我们公司有十多个员工。
We have more than ten employees in our company.
11–19 employees
那支手機要三萬多塊錢。那部手机要三万多块钱。
That mobile phone costs more than thirty thousand dollars.
under 40,000
這本書有150多頁。这本书有150多页。
This book has more than 150 pages.
under 160
我做這個網站有320多天了。我做这个网站有320多天了。
I have been working on this website for more than 320 days.
under 330 — 天 tiān and 年 nián act as their own measure words
台灣吃到飽的餐廳大部分要一千多塊錢。台湾吃到饱的餐厅大部分要一千多块钱。
Most all-you-can-eat restaurants in Taiwan cost more than one thousand NT dollars.
under 2,000
Cultural Note: 吃到飽吃到饱 chī dào bǎo
Welcome to the world of “all-you-can-eat” restaurants — 吃到飽吃到饱 chī dào bǎo, also known as buffets! It’s like a food adventure where you can indulge in as much deliciousness as your heart desires, all at a fixed price. Taiwan is a haven for buffet lovers: hotpot, barbecue, sushi, seafood, dim sum, vegetarian buffets and more. Whether you’re a fan of Asian cuisine or international flavors, there’s something for everyone. Just search the keyword 吃到飽吃到饱 chī dào bǎo and get ready to feast!
我學了30多年的英文，還是說得不好。我学了30多年的英文，还是说得不好。
I have been studying English for more than 30 years, but I still can’t speak it well.
under 40
2Number 1–9 + Measure Word + 多 duō (+ 的 de + Noun)
When the number is 1–9 (or ends in 1–9), 多 duō goes after the measure word. Now the “extra” is only a fraction of one unit — 五個个多月 wǔ ge duō yuè is five-and-a-bit months. A noun can follow with 的 de, or be left out.
我學了5個多月的中文了。我学了5个多月的中文了。
I have been learning Chinese for more than five months.
under 6
她昨天喝了7杯多的啤酒。她昨天喝了7杯多的啤酒。
She drank more than seven glasses of beer yesterday.
under 8
這個杯子只要4塊多。这个杯子只要4块多。
This cup costs just over four dollars.
under 5
我女兒三歲多了。我女儿三岁多了。
My daughter is over three years old.
under 4
這部電影看完要兩個多小時。这部电影看完要两个多小时。
It takes over two hours to finish watching this movie.
under 3
3Side by Side
The position of 多 duō changes the meaning:
Pattern
Example
Meaning
Number + 多 duō + MW
十多個个月 shí duō ge yuè
11–19 months
Number + MW + 多 duō
十個个多月 shí ge duō yuè
10 months and a bit (under 11)
Number + 多 duō + MW
二十多塊块 èrshí duō kuài
21–29 kuai
Number + MW + 多 duō
兩两塊块多 liǎng kuài duō
2 kuai and some change (under 3)
4Common Mistakes
❌我學了五多個月。我学了五多个月。
✅我學了五個多月。我学了五个多月。
With a single digit, 多 duō comes after the measure word.
❌我們班有二十個多學生。我们班有二十个多学生。
✅我們班有二十多個學生。我们班有二十多个学生。
People can’t be split into fractions — with a round number, 多 duō goes before the measure word.
5Practice
Try saying each sentence in Chinese, then tap to check.
01I don’t have enough money. I only have a little over 30 dollars.
我的錢不夠，只有30多塊錢。我的钱不够，只有30多块钱。
👆 Tap to reveal
02I drank more than one bottle of water this morning.
我早上喝了一瓶多的水。我早上喝了一瓶多的水。
👆 Tap to reveal
03She has over fifteen thousand fans.
她的粉絲有一萬五千多人。她的粉丝有一万五千多人。
👆 Tap to reveal
04There are more than twenty people in the restaurant.
