何杯(なんばい)

なんばい
expression
how many (cups/glasses/bowls)
1. how many (cups/glasses/bowls)
question word used with the counter 杯(はい)/杯(ばい)/杯(ぱい) to ask about the quantity of drinks, or food served in bowls or cups
コーヒーは何杯(なんばい)飲(の)みますか。
How many cups of coffee do you drink?
ご飯(はん)を何杯(なんばい)食(た)べましたか。
How many bowls of rice did you eat?
ビールは何杯(なんばい)頼(たの)む？
How many beers should we order?

COUNTER QUESTION:
何杯(なんばい) combines 何(なん) (what/how many) with the counter 杯(はい) for cupfuls/glassfuls/bowlfuls.

OBJECTS COUNTED WITH 杯(はい):

  • コーヒー/紅茶(こうちゃ) - coffee/tea (cups)
  • 水(みず)/ジュース - water/juice (glasses)
  • ビール/酒(さけ) - beer/sake (glasses)
  • ご飯(はん) - rice (bowls)
  • ラーメン/蕎麦(そば) - ramen/soba (bowls)

COUNTING PATTERN:

  • 一杯(いっぱい) - one cup/glass
  • 二杯(にはい) - two cups/glasses
  • 三杯(さんばい) - three cups/glasses
  • 何杯(なんばい)/何杯(なんぱい) - how many?

PRONUNCIATION NOTE:
The counter follows rendaku rules: はい → ばい/ぱい after certain numbers. Both なんばい and なんぱい are acceptable.

general
Added 2026.1.28 13:51
08500/08779_nanbai