所有已經含有錢和數量概念的名詞,像價格(price)、收入(income)、預算(budget),都要用what,不能用how much問。
1. 這價格是多少?
(錯)How much is the price?
(對)What is the price?
2. 他的收入是多少?
(錯)How much is his income?
(對)What is his income?
(對)What does he earn?
(對)How much does he earn?
Income是一筆錢,用what問。
「How much does he earn?」,文法上是可以的,這裡省略掉money,原本應是「How much (money) does he earn?」。
3. 你的預算是多少?
(錯)How much is your budget?
(對)What is your budget?
其實不只是錢,只要任何含有數字概念的名詞,像temperature是溫度、population是人口數目,這類東西問多少的時候,都用what 而不是how much。
4. 外面的溫度是多少?
(錯)How much is the temperature outside?
(對)What is the temperature outside?
5. 東京的人口有多少?
(錯)How much is the population of Tokyo?
(對)What is the population of Tokyo?