- We have learnt measure words 量词 ( 个 间 件 张 位 条 本 ) in one of the weekly activities before (here).
- A measure word 量词 ((liàng cí), also known as a classifier, is used along with numerals to define the quantity of a given object or with words such as “this” and “that” to identify specific objects. e.g.: 一张纸。(a piece of paper) 那张纸。(that paper) 那一张纸。(that piece of paper)
- In terms of measure words, the main difference between English and Chinese is that Chinese requires a measure word for most objects. In English, one can say “two books”. In Chinese, we do not say “两书”, but “两本书”. (本 is a measure word for book 书)
- However, when a noun is not counted or introduces with “this” or “that”, a measure word is not necessary. e.g. : We do not say “我的本书”, but “我的书”.
- Most nouns have one or more particular measure words associated with them. The usage depends on personal preference and dialects. e.g: For car, some people use 那辆车 and others may use 那部车 or 那台车 to mean three cars.
- Today we are going to learn a few more Chinese measure words : 只 把 部 门 道 所 起
| Measure Word | Pinyin | Main Uses | Example | |
| 1 | 只 | zhī |
boats, birds, some animals, some containers, and one of a pair | 一只船 (boat) 一只老虎 (tiger) 三只箱子 (suitcase) 那只蜘蛛 (spider) 一只眼睛 (one eye) 两只手 (two hands) |
| 2 | 把 | bǎ |
bunches of things, for something with a handle, handful of | 一把米 (a handful of rice) 两把刀 (knife) 一把扇子 (fan) 这把雨伞 (umbrella) 一把年纪 (be getting on in years) 拉他一把 (give (or lend) him a hand)) |
| 3 | 部 | bù |
books and films, machines and vehicles, section or part | 两部字典 (dictionary) 一部电影 (movie) 两部汽车 (car) 这部机器 (machine) 那部手机 (mobile phone) |
| 4 | 门 | mén |
lessons, subjects of study, cannons, marriage, relatives | 两门功课 (subject/course) 这门学问 (knowledge) 三门技术 (skill) 一门亲事 (marriage) 一门大炮 (cannon) |
| 5 | 道 | dào |
long and narrow objects, doors, walls, orders, questions, courses in a meal, stages in a procedure, etc. |
一道河 (river) 万道金光 (golden rays) 一道阳光 (sunlight) 两道泪痕 (tear streaks) 第二道门 (door) 那道墙 (wall) 三道题 (question) 两道命令 (order) 一道手续 (process) 两道漆 (coat of paint) 四道菜 (courses in a meal) |
| 6 | 所 | suǒ |
houses, schools, hospitals, etc. | 一所房子 (house) 两所学校 (schools) 这所医院 (hospital) |
| 7 | 起 | qǐ |
case, instance, batch, group | 一起交通意外 (traffic accident) 一起火灾 (fire) |
