कितने
kitne/kɪt̪.neː/
The Hindi phrase for "how many" is कितने (kitne).
कितने is used to ask about the number of countable items.
Meaning: what number (pron)
Which one should you use?
While कितने is used for countable items to mean "how many", the form कितना is used for uncountable quantities to mean "how much".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on the gender and number of the noun it modifies. कितना is used for masculine singular nouns. कितने is used for masculine plural nouns or when the noun is in the oblique case. कितनी is used when the noun being counted is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is [kitne]. It consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- When using कितने to ask about people, the phrase often pairs with the honorific plural to show respect, even if the speaker is asking about a single person.
- In Hindi, the word कितने is often used as a rhetorical device in slogans or poetry to emphasize an overwhelming amount, rather than to ask a question.
- While कितने asks for a number, Hindi speakers often answer with the word बहुत, meaning 'many' or 'a lot', even when a specific number is requested.
Examples in context
- बैठक मैं कितने लोग मौजूद थे?How many people were present at the meeting?This sentence is useful for asking about the number of people present in a meeting using कितने.Tatoeba #1005712 by thevikas, translation #22535 by CM
- इन्द्रधनुष में तुम्हें कितने रंग दिखाई देते हैं?How many colors do you see in the rainbow?This sentence is useful for asking about the number of colors in a rainbow using कितने.Tatoeba #937386 by thevikas, translation #281033 by Zifre
- कितने लोग मर गएं?How many people died?This sentence is useful for asking about the number of people who died using कितने.Tatoeba #2045943 by sabretou, translation #1109289 by riccioberto
- कितने लोग हैं यहाँ?How many people are here?
- कितना समय लगेगा?How much time will it take?
- कितने स्टूडेंट्स हैं आजकल?How many students are there nowadays?
- 32 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Amit and Anjali are planning a party.
- अमित Amitअंजलि, तुमने कितने मेहमानों को बुलाया है?Anjali, tumne kitne mehmanon ko bulaya hai?Anjali, how many guests have you invited?
- अंजलि Anjaliमैंने सिर्फ दस लोगों को बुलाया है।Maine sirf das logon ko bulaya hai.I have invited only ten people.
- अमित Amitक्या हमें और कितने कुर्सियों की ज़रूरत है?Kya humein aur kitne kursiyon ki zaroorat hai?How many more chairs do we need?
- अंजलि Anjaliहमें पाँच और कुर्सियाँ चाहिए।Humein paanch aur kursiyan chahiye.We need five more chairs.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry कितने, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
