幾いくばくか

Meanings

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

some; a small amount

Used to indicate an indefinite but small quantity or degree; often followed by a noun with の or used adverbially.

幾いくばくかのお金かねを寄き付ふした。
I donated a small amount of money.
彼かれの話はなしには幾いくばくかの真しん実じつがある。
There is some truth in his story.

See all 3 example sentences ›

Kanji

幾how many, how much, how far
許permit, approve
何what

Related words

いくらか
いくらか is more common and neutral for 'some' or 'a little'; 幾ばくか is slightly more literary and emphasizes a small, often modest amount.
多た少しょう
多少 is more formal and often used in written language; 幾ばくか is less formal but still somewhat literary.

Written forms

幾いくばくか
Common mixed kanji-kana spelling; avoids the rare kanji 許 or 何.
幾許いくばくか
Rare kanji spelling using 許; not commonly used in modern writing.
幾何いくばくか
Rare kanji spelling using 何; easily confused with 幾何 (きか, geometry).

Etymology

Combination of 幾 (いく, 'how many') + ばく (an old counter/quantity word) + か (question particle). The exact derivation of ばく is uncertain, but the whole expression has been used since classical Japanese to mean 'some amount'.