Does 多 always come after the measure word？

Question

I've realized that I still don't fully understand the placement of "多“ a relatively common word. Can you never place 多 before a measure word? A friend recently corrected my "四多快美金“ into 四块多美金” but does that apply for all measure word 比如， 三十多条蛇 should be "三十条多蛇？“ (that doesn't sound right either) Any clarification would be super helpful!

Answer 1

It's a great question. There are couple ways to indicate approximate numbers. The word 多 is one of them. The position of 多 depends on the measure words, noun and the numbers. The following examples may help you have a better understanding. The numbers in brackets represent the real numbers.

If the nouns can't be divided, 多should be put before the measure words indicating approximate numbers.

我们班有二十多个学生。(25 students)

这里有十多辆车。(12 cars)

他有一百多本书。(110 books)

Thus " 三十多条蛇" is the right one.

If the nouns can be divided, the position of 多 depends on the number.                                       

这件衣服二十多块钱。($24)

这件衣服 二十块多。($ 20.3)

这个箱子有十多公斤。(14 kg)

这个箱子有十公斤多。(10.6 kg)

Thus "四块多美金" should be the correct one。

Most time nouns with measure word follow the previous rules.                                  

我坐了二十多个小时的飞机。（21 hours）

我坐了八个多小时的飞机。(8.5 hours)

他学了十多个月汉语。（13 months）

他学了三个多月汉语。(3 months and 10 days)

我在这里住了十多个星期。( 12 weeks)

我在这里住了三个多星期。(3 weeks and 5 days)

Some nouns can be used as measure word and still follow the previous rules.

 他在那里生活了十多年。(15 years)

他在那里生活了三年多。(3 years and 4 months)

我要在那里住十多天。(14 days)

他今年三十多岁。(36 years old)

这个孩子今年两岁多。(2 years and half )

I hope it helps.

Answer 2

多 is similar with "-ish" in English. For example, when you refer to someone's age, she's 30ish. You would say in Mandarin "她三十多岁“。 If you try to think of "多" like the use of "ish" in English, that would help you understand the placement of "多” in the sentence.

I hope that helps!