Translation guide
To ask about frequency or number of occurrences, Japanese uses counter words with question words like 何回 (nankai) or 何度 (nando). The choice depends on what is being counted and the level of formality.
The speaker wants to know the count of times an action has happened or will happen.
The most common and neutral way to ask 'how many times'. 回 is the generic counter for occurrences.
この映画を何回見ましたか。
How many times have you seen this movie?
週に何回運動しますか。
How many times a week do you exercise?
Similar to 何回, but 度 can imply a slightly more formal or emphatic tone. Often interchangeable with 何回.
日本には何度行ったことがありますか。
How many times have you been to Japan?
Means 'many times' or 'repeatedly', not a question. Included here because learners may encounter it when searching for 'how many times'.
彼は何回も同じ間違いをした。
He made the same mistake many times.
The speaker wants to know how often something occurs within a time frame (per day, week, etc.).
Use a time period + に + 何回 to ask 'how many times per (period)'. Common periods: 日 (day), 週 (week), 月 (month), 年 (year).
一日に何回歯を磨きますか。
How many times a day do you brush your teeth?
一週間に何回ジムに行きますか。
How many times a week do you go to the gym?
Same pattern with 何度, slightly more formal or emphatic.
年に何度海外旅行をしますか。
How many times a year do you travel abroad?
The speaker wants to know the frequency, not a specific number.
Means 'how often' or 'how much'. Use with frequency expressions like よく (often) or verb phrases.
どのくらいの頻度で映画を見ますか。
How often do you watch movies?
Synonym of どのくらい, slightly more casual.
Both mean 'how many times' and are often interchangeable. 何回 is more common in daily speech. 何度 can sound slightly more formal or emphatic, and is preferred in some fixed expressions like 何度も (many times).
何回言ったらわかるの？
How many times do I have to tell you?
何度もすみません。
I'm sorry for the many times (I've bothered you).
いくつ means 'how many' for objects, not for times. Using it for occurrences is incorrect. Use 何回 or 何度 instead.
✕ いくつ行きましたか。 (for 'how many times did you go?')
Incorrect: いくつ行きましたか。
○ 何回行きましたか。
Correct: How many times did you go?
How often do you go running?