Everything you need to use measure words correctly: the patterns, when to use them, examples with audio, common mistakes and exercises with answers.
In Chinese a measure word must go between the number and the noun: 一本书 (one book). Each kind of noun takes its own measure word. Key patterns: One/Two/Three + Measure word + Noun; This/That + Measure word + Noun.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pattern | One/Two/Three + Measure word + Noun | 两本书 Two books Never say 两书 - the measure word is missing |
| With 这/那 (this/that) | This/That + Measure word + Noun | 这本书很好。 This book is very good. |
When you are unsure which measure word to use, 个 will do
杯 for cups and glasses, 瓶 for bottles
Pick the right option, then open the answer to check it.
Options: 个 · 张 · 本 · 条
本. 本 is the usual measure word for books.
Options: 个 · 件 · 本 · 杯
个. 个 is the most common measure word, used for people and things.
Options: 个 · 只 · 本 · 杯
杯. 杯 is the measure word for drinks: a glass of water.
Options: 个 · 只 · 张 · 本
只. 只 is used for small animals: two cats.
Options: 件 · 张 · 本 · 条
张. 张 is used for flat things: paper, tables, photos.
Options: 件 · 张 · 本 · 条
件. 件 is used for clothing (tops) and matters: a piece of clothing.
Options: 件 · 张 · 本 · 条
条. 条 is used for long, flexible things such as fish, roads and rivers: a fish.
Options: 个 · 件 · 双 · 张
双. 双 is used for things that come in pairs: a pair of chopsticks.
Options: 张 · 本 · 条 · 辆
辆. 辆 is used for vehicles: He has a new car.
Options: 位 · 只 · 张 · 本
位. 位 is the polite measure word for people: This teacher is very good.
Options: 件 · 张 · 本 · 瓶
瓶. 瓶 is used for things in bottles: I bought two bottles of milk.
Options: 张 · 本 · 条 · 碗
碗. 碗 is used for food served in a bowl: a bowl of rice.
Options: 两个朋友 · 两朋友 · 两本朋友 · 二个朋友
两个朋友. Before a measure word use 两, not 二, and never drop the measure word: two friends.
Options: 件 · 张 · 本 · 条
张. 张 is used for thin, flat things like tickets and paper: I bought a cinema ticket.
Options: 只 · 张 · 本 · 条
只. 只 is used for birds and small animals: There is a bird in the tree.
Options: 个 · 件 · 块 · 本
块. 块 is the spoken unit of money (yuan): This apple costs three yuan.
Options: 件 · 家 · 张 · 本
家. 家 is used for shops, companies and restaurants: There is a shop here.
Options: 三这本书 · 这三书 · 这三本书 · 这本三书
这三本书. Order: 这/那 + number + measure word + noun: these three books.
Options: 件 · 把 · 本 · 条
把. 把 is used for things with a handle and for chairs: There is a chair in the room.
Options: 我喝了一咖啡。 · 我喝了一张咖啡。 · 我喝了一本咖啡。 · 我喝了一杯咖啡。
我喝了一杯咖啡。. Drinks in a cup take 杯, and a number always needs a measure word: I drank a cup of coffee.
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