Grammar lessons

In Chinese a number or 这/那 can't go straight before a noun: a measure word comes in between. 个 is the general one, used for people, questions, countries, fruit and much more: 一个问题 (a question), 两个苹果 (two apples). Many everyday nouns, though, have their own measure word, and 个 sounds wrong with them: - 本 for bound things: books, dictionaries, magazines, passports - 张 for flat things: photos, postcards, tables, beds, cards - 只 for many animals: cats, birds, rabbits, pandas - 杯 for a cup or glass of a drink: 一杯咖啡 - 件 for clothes on the upper body and coats: 一件衬衫 - 把 for things with a handle: umbrellas, keys, knives, scissors The pattern is number or 这/那 + measure word + noun: 这本书 (this book), 三张照片 (three photos).