Common Meanings
1
jī几
A small or low table, typically used in a living room, e.g., a coffee table.
请把遥控器放在茶几上。
Please put the remote control on the coffee table.
nearly; almost; on the verge of
她跑得太快，我几追不上
She ran too fast, I almost couldn't catch up.
A subtle beginning; a presage; an omen; a sign (as in '知几其神乎' meaning 'to know the subtle beginnings is divine wisdom').
智者善于察几，能预见事态发展。
The wise are good at observing subtle signs and can foresee the development of events.
2
jǐ几
An interrogative pronoun asking about a small quantity or number (implies the quantity is not very large).
教室里有几个人？
How many people are there in the classroom?
An indefinite number; several, a few.
我明天有几节课。
I have a few classes tomorrow.