The differences between “几” and “多少”

As we know, both of "几" and "多少" are question phrases used to ask about numbers, but do you know their difference?

"几" is often used to ask about numbers less than 10, and a measure word is needed between it and the noun, so the pattern is:

几 + Measure word + Noun

For Example:

你要买几斤苹果？

nǐ yào mǎi jǐ jīn pín guǒ?

How many kilos of apple do you want?

你要买几杯咖啡？

nǐ yào mǎi jǐ bēi kā fēi?

How many cups of coffee do you want?

你有几个孩子？

nǐ yǒu jǐ gè hái zi?

How many kids do you have?

现在几点了？

xiàn zài jǐ diǎn le?

What's the time?

"多少" can be used to ask about any numbers, and in a sentence, the measure word is optional:

多少 (+ Measure word)+ Noun

For example:

你的公司有多少（个）人？

nǐ de gōngsī yǒu duōshǎo (gè) rén?

How many people do you have in your company?

你家有多少（间）房间？

nǐ jiā yǒu duōshǎo (jiān) fángjiān?

How many rooms in your home?

我们要买多少（盒）月饼？

wǒmen yào dìng duōshǎo hé yuèbǐng?

How many boxes of mooncake do we need to buy?