 Chinese measure words can be one of the most intimidating and confusing things about learning Chinese for beginners. Even for advanced learners it can be difficult to know which the correct measure word is to use because there are literally hundreds of them! That’s why we’ve put together a complete guide to 12 of the most common Chinese measure words. Firstly, don’t let yourself be too overwhelmed by the concept of measure words. They do actually exist in other languages like English for certain nouns such as three glasses of water, or a bar of chocolate. The only difference in Chinese is that all nouns must have a measure word before them It may take a little bit of getting used to at first, but after a little while, including a measure word will just seem like second nature! 1. 个 gè 个 gè can be used as a generic measure word if you’re not sure of the correct one. Although hopefully with our guide you’ll be able to up your Chinese game and start using some other measure words instead! In general, 个 gè should be used as a measure word for people and unspecified items: 一个朋友 yí gè péngyou – A friend 一个东西 yī gè dōngxī – A thing 2. 张 zhāng This is an important measure word to learn for anyone living or travelling in China as it is used for flat things such as pieces of paper. For instance, it would be used when buying tickets: 两张火车票 liǎng zhāng huǒchē piào – Two train tickets 一张硬卧票 yī zhāng yìng wò piào – One soft sleeper ticket 3. 本 běn 本 běn is used for when you are talking about books, magazines, notebooks etc. 一本杂志 yī běn zázhì – A magazine 一本笔记本 yī běn bǐjìběn – A notebook 4. 杯 bēi 杯 bēi is the measure word used for glasses or cups. This is an easy one to get used to as we use glass as a measure word in other languages. 两杯红酒 liǎng bēi hóngjiǔ – Two glasses of red wine 三杯啤酒 sān bēi píjiǔ – Three glasses of beer 5. 瓶 píng 瓶 píng is the quantifier for bottles, it’s helpful to learn so that you can distinguish between ordering a bottle or glass of something. 一瓶水 yī píng shuǐ – A bottle of water 一瓶白葡萄酒 yī píng bái pútáojiǔ – A bottle of white wine 6. 条 tiáo In general, this measure word is used for long, narrow or skinny objects and animals. 两条鱼 liǎng tiáo yú – Two fish 一条路 yī tiáo lù – A road 这条河 zhè tiáo hé – This river 两条裤子 liǎng tiáo kù zi – Two pairs of trousers 7. 件 jiàn This is a measure word that has quite a few broad uses. 件 jiàn is used for some items of clothing, presents or problems/matters. 一件衬衫 yī jiàn chènshān- A shirt 一件事 – yī jiàn shì – One matter or problem 8. 块 kuài Most people will be familiar with the measure word 块 kuài which is used as the colloquial classifier for 元 yuán. However, it is also used for big pieces of something, portions and wristwatches. 三块钱 sān kuài qián – Three yuan 一块石头 yī kuài shítou – A rock 9. 家 jiā This is another word that most people will be familiar with as it’s the word for home or family. But 家 jiā is also a measure word and is used for families or business establishments. 这家公司 zhè jiā gōng sī – This company 一家酒吧 – yī jiā jiǔ bā – A bar 两家人家 liǎng jiā rénjiā – Two families 10. 只 zhī In general 只 zhī is the go to measure word for animals, although not all animals. It is also used for body parts that come in pairs, to mean “one of a pair”. 五只猫 – wǔ zhī māo – Five cats 四只鸡 sì zhī jī – Four chickens 一只耳朵 yì zhī ěr duo- An ear 11. 辆 liàng The measure word 辆 liàng is used for vehicles with wheels, although not for trains. 一辆摩托车 yī liàng mótuō chē – A motorbike 三辆自行车 sān liàng zì xíng chē – Three bicycles 五辆车 wǔ liàng chē – Five cars 12. 双 shuāng This is the measure word for pairs. However, 双 shuāng is not used for all things you would say pair for in English. For example, as we saw earlier the measure word for a pair of trousers is actually 条 tiáo. 一双筷子 yī shuāng kuàizi – A pair of chopsticks 一双鞋 yī shuāng xié – A pair of shoes 两双手套 liǎng shuāng shǒutào – Two pairs of gloves #Our teachers # More than 10 years teaching experience Master Degree Certificate for teaching chinese as a foreign language  # About us # Founded in 2007 Chinese test and training center 200+ Chinese teachers 5000+ students  # Contact us# Name:fiona Phone number:021-52287809,13918358891 E-mail:info@mandarinmorning.com www.mandarinmorning.com If you are interested to join Mandarin Morning school or want more details about our services, scan the following QR code. ☟  Mandarin Morning Chinese test center attached to Confucius institute headquarters Authorized Test Center and Training Center for International Chinese Language Teacher Certificater 10 years+ ，200 teachers ，more 10000 students，200+companies  |
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