combien

French word: combien

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Explanation in English:

Combien is an interrogative adverb in French that means "how much" or "how many" in English. It is used to ask about quantity or number.

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Meanings:

1. How much
   When referring to an uncountable amount or quantity.
   Example:

   • Combien ça coûte ? — How much does it cost?

2. How many
   When referring to countable items.
   Example:

   • Combien de livres as-tu ? — How many books do you have?

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Components:

• The word combien does not have separable parts; it is a single adverb.

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Synonyms in French:

• Quantième: (used more in formal or numbered contexts, like "which number")
• Quel nombre: literally "what number," used in certain questions but less common as a direct synonym.

(There aren’t direct synonyms for combien, since it is quite unique as a question word for quantity.)

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Antonyms in French:

Since combien is a question word asking for quantity, there are no strict antonyms, but in conversation context, statements like:

• Aucun / Pas de (none / no) — to indicate zero quantity, refers to the answer rather than an antonym.

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Summary:
Combien is used to ask about quantity or number, suitable for asking "how much" or "how many" depending on the item queried. It is an essential interrogative word in French related to amounts and numbers.