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TermsChinese · Measure Words
Everyday Measure Words
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).
Examples
- 我有一个好朋友。
- 这本书很有意思。
- 那只狗很可爱。
- 请给我一杯水。
- 这把伞是谁的？
Try it yourself
我有一问题。Show answer
我有一个问题。
桌子上有三书。Show answer
桌子上有三本书。
这照片是在北京拍的。Show answer
这张照片是在北京拍的。
我家有一猫。Show answer
我家有一只猫。
我给你倒一水吧。Show answer
我给你倒一杯水吧。
她今天穿了一红色的衣服。Show answer
她今天穿了一件红色的衣服。
外面下雨了，带一伞吧。Show answer
外面下雨了，带一把伞吧。
我吃了两苹果。Show answer
我吃了两个苹果。
这词典很有用。Show answer
这本词典很有用。
我从巴黎给你寄了一明信片。Show answer
我从巴黎给你寄了一张明信片。