Translation guide
In Japanese, asking 'how many people' depends on context: counting people, asking about group size, or inquiring about participants. The most common word is 何人 (なんにん), but polite forms and specific counters exist.
To ask about the number of people in a group, at an event, or involved in an activity.
The standard way to ask 'how many people'. Used in most everyday situations.
How many people are coming to the party?
How many people were at yesterday's meeting?
Polite form used in service contexts (restaurants, hotels) to ask about the number of guests or customers.
How many people is the reservation for?
Means 'number of people'. Often used in questions like '人数は？' (How many people?) when context is clear.
How many participants are there?
Please tell me the number of people.
To ask how many people are in someone's family or household.
To ask about the number of people in specific contexts that require a different counter.
Formal counter for people, used in official documents or formal speech. Less common in daily conversation.
How many participants are there? (formal)
While 人 is the counter for people, the question word is 何人 (なんにん), not 何 (なに) + 人 (ひと). Saying 何ひと is incorrect.
In casual speech, you can drop ですか and just say 何人？ (なんにん？). In formal settings, use 何名様ですか or 何人ですか with polite intonation.
How many people are in your group?
How many people attended the concert?