Chinese Measure Words: 6 to Learn First
Start with 个、杯、本、张、条 and 只. Learn them together with useful nouns and short requests.
Why is there an extra word?
In many everyday Chinese expressions, a number is followed by a measure word before the noun.
Example
三个苹果
three apples
The pattern is:
number + measure word + noun
Learn these combinations together. You do not need to memorize a long list before you start speaking.
1. 个: people and many everyday items
Example
一个人
one person
Example
两个苹果
two apples
Example
我要两个包子。
I would like two filled steamed buns.
个 is common, but it is not the standard measure word for every noun.
2. 杯: cups and glasses of drinks
Example
一杯水
a glass of water
Example
两杯茶
two cups of tea
Example
请给我一杯水。
Please give me a glass of water.
杯 describes the serving container or amount. It does not necessarily mean the empty cup itself.
3. 本: books and similar bound items
Example
一本书
one book
Example
两本书
two books
Example
我有两本中文书。
I have two Chinese-language books.
4. 张: sheets and some flat objects
Example
一张纸
one sheet of paper
Example
两张票
two tickets
Example
我想买两张车票。
I would like to buy two tickets.
Shape can help you remember a measure word, but it does not predict every correct combination.
5. 条: some long or narrow things
Example
一条毛巾
one towel
Example
三条鱼
three fish
Example
请给我一条毛巾。
Please give me a towel.
Learn 条 with the noun. Do not use it for every object that looks long.
6. 只: many animals
Example
一只猫
one cat
Example
两只狗
two dogs
Example
我家有一只猫。
We have a cat at home.
Here, 只 is pronounced zhī. Many animals use 只, but others use different words: fish commonly use 条, horses 匹, and cattle 头.
This and that can use the same pattern
Example
这个苹果
this apple
Example
那本书
that book
Example
你想要哪本书？
Which book would you like?
The number is not the only word that can come before a measure word.
Can I use 个 for everything?
A listener may work out what you mean when you use the wrong measure word, but 个 is not always a correct substitute.
Start by learning a few useful pairs:
- 个＋苹果
- 杯＋茶
- 本＋书
- 张＋票
- 条＋毛巾
- 只＋猫
A two-minute practice
Complete the expressions:
- 两___茶
- 一___书
- 三___猫
- 一___毛巾
- 两___车票
Answers:
- 两杯茶
- 一本书
- 三只猫
- 一条毛巾
- 两张车票
Choose two combinations you might use today and put them into a complete sentence.