15 Must-Know Chinese Measure Words
Chinese measure words, also known as "classifiers," are a unique and often perplexing part of Chinese grammar for many learners. Unlike languages such as English, Chinese typically requires a measure word before a noun, for example, "一本书" (yī běn shū - one-measure word-book), rather than just "one book." While there's a vast array of measure words, mastering some of the most common and basic ones will help you avoid mistakes and sound more natural in daily conversations. Today, let's learn 15 essential Chinese measure words for every learner!
What Are Measure Words?
Measure words are words used to indicate the unit of quantity for people, things, or actions. They are usually placed between a number and a noun, forming the structure of "number + measure word + noun."
Essential Chinese Measure Words
1. 个 (gè) – The Most Universal and Versatile Measure Word
- Usage: Can be used for almost all nouns. When in doubt, using "个" is usually acceptable, though it might not always be the most idiomatic choice.
- Common Combinations: 一个人 (yī gè rén - one person), 一个苹果 (yī gè píngguǒ - one apple), 一个问题 (yī gè wèntí - one question)
2. 本 (běn) – For Books, Magazines, etc.
- Usage: Used for bound items like books, magazines, dictionaries.
- Common Combinations: 一本书 (yī běn shū - one book), 一本杂志 (yī běn zázhì - one magazine)
3. 张 (zhāng) – For Flat, Thin Items
- Usage: Used for flat items like paper, tables, beds, tickets.
- Common Combinations: 一张纸 (yī zhāng zhǐ - one piece of paper), 一张桌子 (yī zhāng zhuōzi - one table), 一张票 (yī zhāng piào - one ticket)
4. 条 (tiáo) – For Long, Thin Items
- Usage: Used for long or thin items like fish, pants, skirts, rivers, roads, dogs.
- Common Combinations: 一条鱼 (yī tiáo yú - one fish), 一条裤子 (yī tiáo kùzi - one pair of pants), 一条河 (yī tiáo hé - one river)
5. 块 (kuài) – For Lumps, Slices, or Money
- Usage: Used for chunk-shaped items like bread, cake, soap, and also for money (colloquially referring to "yuan").
- Common Combinations: 一块蛋糕 (yī kuài dàngāo - one piece of cake), 一块钱 (yī kuài qián - one yuan/dollar)
6. 支 (zhī) – For Pens, Pencils, etc. (Slender, Rod-like Objects)
- Usage: Used for slender, rod-like objects like pens, pencils, cigarettes.
- Common Combinations: 一支笔 (yī zhī bǐ - one pen), 一支铅笔 (yī zhī qiānbǐ - one pencil)
7. 件 (jiàn) – For Clothes, Matters, Luggage, etc.
- Usage: Used for items of clothing (tops), matters/affairs, pieces of luggage.
- Common Combinations: 一件衣服 (yī jiàn yīfu - one piece of clothing), 一件事情 (yī jiàn shìqíng - one matter/thing), 一件行李 (yī jiàn xíngli - one piece of luggage)
8. 双 (shuāng) – For Pairs of Items
- Usage: Used for items that come in pairs, such as shoes, chopsticks, gloves.
- Common Combinations: 一双鞋 (yī shuāng xié - one pair of shoes), 一双筷子 (yī shuāng kuàizi - one pair of chopsticks)
9. 杯 (bēi) – For Liquids in Cups
- Usage: Used for liquids served in cups.
- Common Combinations: 一杯水 (yī bēi shuǐ - one cup of water), 一杯咖啡 (yī bēi kāfēi - one cup of coffee)
10. 瓶 (píng) – For Liquids in Bottles
- Usage: Used for liquids served in bottles.
- Common Combinations: 一瓶水 (yī píng shuǐ - one bottle of water), 一瓶啤酒 (yī píng píjiǔ - one bottle of beer)
11. 辆 (liàng) – For Vehicles
- Usage: Used for vehicles like cars, bicycles, motorcycles.
- Common Combinations: 一辆汽车 (yī liàng qìchē - one car), 一辆自行车 (yī liàng zìxíngchē - one bicycle)
12. 间 (jiān) – For Rooms
- Usage: Used for rooms, houses.
- Common Combinations: 一间卧室 (yī jiān wòshì - one bedroom), 一间办公室 (yī jiān bàngōngshì - one office)
13. 顶 (dǐng) – For Hats, Sedans, etc.
- Usage: Used for items with a top, like hats, sedans.
- Common Combinations: 一顶帽子 (yī dǐng màozi - one hat)
14. 朵 (duǒ) – For Flowers, Clouds, etc.
- Usage: Used for flowers, clouds.
- Common Combinations: 一朵花 (yī duǒ huā - one flower), 一朵云 (yī duǒ yún - one cloud)
15. 封 (fēng) – For Letters
- Usage: Used for letters, emails.
- Common Combinations: 一封信 (yī fēng xìn - one letter), 一封邮件 (yī fēng yóujiàn - one email)
Tips for Learning Measure Words:
- Listen and Memorize: Pay attention to how native speakers use measure words in your daily Chinese learning.
- Memorize in Combinations: Don't memorize measure words in isolation. Instead, memorize them in combination with common nouns.
- Start with "个": If you're unsure, use "个" as a placeholder and gradually learn more precise measure words.
Measure words are a challenging but essential part of learning Chinese. Mastering them will make your Chinese expressions more accurate and authentic. Keep practicing!