When asking "how many" or "how much" of a specific thing, use combien de.
Just like with beaucoup de, use de (or d' before a vowel) and drop the usual article (des, du, de la).
| How many boxes of tomatoes are you buying? | Combien de boîtes de tomates est-ce que vous achetez ? |
Weights, containers, and portions
At the market, you will often ask for precise amounts. The same de rule applies to measurements and containers, such as un kilo, une boîte, une douzaine, or une tranche.
| How many kilos of onions are you taking? | Combien de kilos d'oignons est-ce que tu prends ? |
| She is buying a dozen eggs, a packet of coffee and a liter of milk. | Elle achète une douzaine d'œufs, un paquet de café et un litre de lait. |
Asking "How much" with verbs
When asking about overall price or weight, drop the de and just use combien. You will often pair it with verbs like peser (to weigh) or coûter (to cost).
| How much does this fish weigh? | Combien pèse ce poisson ? |
| How much does a dozen eggs cost? | Combien coûte une douzaine d'œufs ? |
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