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.
パーティーには何人来ますか。
How many people are coming to the party?
昨日の会議は何人でしたか。
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.
ご予約は何名様ですか。
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.
参加人数は何人ですか。
How many participants are there?
人数を教えてください。
Please tell me the number of people.
To ask how many people are in someone's family or household.
Standard way to ask 'How many people are in your family?'
ご家族は何人ですか。
How many people are in your family?
A more casual way to ask about family size, often used in conversation.
何人家族ですか。
How many people are in your family?
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.
参加者は何名ですか。
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.
グループは何人ですか。
How many people are in your group?
コンサートには何人来ましたか。
How many people attended the concert?