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Measure words: number needs a helper

量词入门 · 量詞入門

Level 1 · Measure words · 量词

In Chinese you can't say 'two book', something must sit between

The pattern

Number/这/那/每 + MW + N
  • Between a number (or 这/那/几/每) and a noun you must insert a measure word: 三本书 'three books', 这个学生 'this student'. The noun picks its measure word by shape or type.
  • Default is 个: when unsure, 个 works for most things and people, but learning the common pairs sounds much better.

Examples

我要两杯咖啡。 我要兩杯咖啡
wǒ yào liǎng bēi kā fēi
I want two cups of coffee.
那个老师很好。 那個老師很好
nà gè lǎo shī hěn hào
That teacher is great.
我家有五口人。 我家有五口人
wǒ jiā yǒu wǔ kǒu rén
There are five people in my family.

Quick check

1. 'one book'
  1. 一书
  2. 一本书
  3. 书一个
Show answer 一本书 — Number + MW (本) + noun.
2. 'that person'
  1. 那人
  2. 那个人
  3. 个人那
Show answer 那个人 — 那 + MW 个 + noun.
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