What does 多 mean in Chinese?

多 (duō) means "many; much; often; a lot of; numerous; more; in excess; how (to what extent); multi-; Taiwan pr. [duo2] when it means "how"" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 多?

多 is pronounced "duō" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 多?

多 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 多?

Common words with 多 include 不可多得 (hard to come by), 一年多 (more than a year), 二十多 (over 20), 伯多禄 (Peter (Catholic transliteration)), 一多对应 (one-to-many correspondence).

How do you write 多?

多 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 夕. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

多 (duō), many

多

duō

many; much; often; a lot of

HSK 16 strokes

Character Breakdown

多 = 夕 + 夕

Two evenings stacked — many

Radical: 夕 (no. 36)Strokes: 6

View stroke order →

Definitions

many
much
often
a lot of
numerous
more
in excess
how (to what extent)
multi-
Taiwan pr. [duo2] when it means "how"

Example Sentences

我有很多书。

Wǒ yǒu hěn duō shū

I have many books

Words Containing 多

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
不可多得	bù kě duō dé	hard to come by
一年多	yī nián duō	more than a year
二十多	èr shí duō	over 20
伯多禄	Bó duō lù	Peter (Catholic transliteration)
一多对应	yī duō duì yìng	one-to-many correspondence

Related Words

千万(qiān wàn)· ten million

→

多么(duō me)· how (wonderful etc)

→

不知凡几(bù zhī fán jǐ)· one can't tell how many

→

僧多粥少(sēng duō zhōu shǎo)· lit. many monks and not much gruel (idiom)

→

Grammar Notes

Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1

Number + Measure Word + Noun

Duration ComplementHSK 2

Subject + Verb + 了 + Duration (+ Object)

Directional 来/去HSK 2

Verb + Direction Verb + 来/去

Towards/About (对)HSK 2

Subject + 对 + Object + Verb/Adjective

Double 不 for EmphasisHSK 2

不 A 不 B OR 不...不 + Verb

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

多: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 多 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.