Interesting Chinese Measure Words

1. Number + Measure Word + Noun

a. Commonly used Measure Words

e.g.

一   +       个      + 苹果

One + Measure Word + apple

“个” is a Measure Word, or say Classifier. When we use a Numeral word to describe a Noun, we usually need to add a “Measure Word”(M.W.) between them. “个” is the most commonly used M.W..

In Chinese language, there are tens of M.W.s or even more. Moreover, According to the noun, we also need to select a proper one to add. For example,

一(One) 张(M.W.) 桌子(table)

一(One) 座(M.W.) 山(hill)

一(One) 位(M.W.) 朋友(friend)

…

If you are a beginner, don’t know which one is the proper one. You might often use “个”, because it is understandable, though it might not be the correct one.

b. Some Nouns can be used as Measure Words. This is similar to English.

e.g.

一箱书 （one + box + books）

一房间人 （one + room + people）

一桌子菜  （one + desk + dishes）

…

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2. Verb + Number + Measure Word

a. Some Nouns can be used as Measure Words. This is a feature of Chinese.

e.g.

看一眼 (look + one + eye) It means ‘take a look’.

拍一掌 (clap + one + palm)

踢一球 (kick + one + ball)

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