1.
how many times; how many fold
An interrogative expression asking about a multiple or ratio. Used to ask how many times greater, larger, or more something is compared to a reference point.
何倍になりましたか。
How many times has it increased?
この部屋はあの部屋の何倍の広さですか。
How many times larger is this room compared to that room?
去年より何倍も努力したのに結果が出なかった。
I put in many times more effort than last year, but didn't get results.
2.
many times over; manifold
Used emphatically to express that something is much greater in degree or quantity, without asking a literal question.
今の幸せは昔の何倍もある。
My happiness now is many times greater than before.
実物は写真の何倍も美しかった。
The real thing was many times more beautiful than in the photos.
彼は私の何倍もの経験を積んでいる。
He has accumulated many times more experience than I have.
Composed of 何 (what; how many) and 倍 (times; fold). Used both as a genuine question and as an emphatic expression meaning "many times over."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 何倍にもなる: to increase manifold
- 何倍もの努力: many times the effort
- 何倍も大きい: many times bigger
- 何倍もの価値: many times the value
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 何杯: how many cups/glasses — same pronunciation but different kanji and meaning
- 数倍: several times; several fold — states a vague multiple without asking
- 何度: how many times (frequency) — counts occurrences, not multiples
GRAMMAR:
Often followed by も for emphasis: 何倍も means "many times over." Can be followed by の to modify nouns: 何倍もの量 (many times the amount).