What's the difference between 何【なん】 and 幾【いく】 when referring to amounts?


Is `幾` simply more literary/archaic than `何`? Can `幾` only be applied to
certain words whereas `何` is more versatile?




As far as the meaning, there is no difference. To say otherwise would be
nitpicking.

The only (and important) difference is the way the words using 幾 and 何 as
suffixes sound in our native-speaking ears. It is the classic "softer-sounding
kun" vs. "sharper-sounding on" difference.

For instance, 幾重（いくえ） sounds much softer than 何重（なんじゅう） though these words
mean exactly the same thing --- "multiple folds" or "how many folds". One
would opt to use the former in a poem or story, but if one used it in a daily
conversation, one would look like a weirdo.

One could say 何 is more versatile because that is what we use much more often
in real life.




As far as the meaning, there is no difference. To say otherwise would be
nitpicking.

The only (and important) difference is the way the words using 幾 and 何 as
suffixes sound in our native-speaking ears. It is the classic "softer-sounding
kun" vs. "sharper-sounding on" difference.

For instance, 幾重（いくえ） sounds much softer than 何重（なんじゅう） though these words
mean exactly the same thing --- "multiple folds" or "how many folds". One
would opt to use the former in a poem or story, but if one used it in a daily
conversation, one would look like a weirdo.

One could say 何 is more versatile because that is what we use much more often
in real life.

