What are common mistakes with 量詞?

EN/DE/CS/RU speakers: Omitting classifier entirely (*三書 instead of 三本書). JP speakers: Familiar with counters — Cantonese classifiers are similar. Mandarin speakers: Most classifiers identical — 個/隻/本/杯/條/件.

量詞: rules, examples & exercises | Cantonese Grammar A1

量詞

A1 — 名詞

Measure words/classifiers required between numbers and nouns

I can use basic classifiers when counting nouns.

Measure words/classifiers required between numbers and nouns

Examples

我要一個蘋果。 — I want one apple.
佢養咗三隻狗。 — He/She keeps three dogs.
呢張枱好大。 — This table is very big.

名詞A1

Classifiers (Measure Words)

Measure words between numbers and nouns

Learning Goal

I can use basic classifiers.

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

我要一個蘋果。

I want one apple.

佢養咗三隻狗。

He/She keeps three dogs.

呢張枱好大。

This table is very big.

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

Classifiers 量詞

In Cantonese, you CANNOT say "three books" directly. You need a classifier between the number and noun:

Number + Classifier + Noun → 三本書 (three CL books)

Common A1 Classifiers

Classifier	Jyutping	Used for	Example
個	go3	General (people, most things)	一個人 (one person)
本	bun2	Books, bound items	兩本書 (two books)
杯	bui1	Cups/glasses	一杯水 (a glass of water)
隻	zek3	Animals, one of a pair	三隻貓 (three cats)
部	bou6	Machines, vehicles	一部車 (a car)
件	gin6	Clothing, matters	一件衫 (a shirt)
條	tiu4	Long thin things, roads	一條路 (a road)
張	zoeng1	Flat things, tables	一張枱 (a table)

Tip: When in doubt, use 個 go3 — it works as a general classifier for most things.

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

Practice Exercises

Omitting classifier entirely.

我要一個蘋果。

I want one apple.

一個蘋果 — number(一) + classifier(個) + noun(蘋果). 個 is the default classifier.

佢養咗三隻狗。

He/She keeps three dogs.

三隻狗 — 隻 zek3 for animals. Not 個!

呢張枱好大。

This table is very big.

呢張枱 — demonstrative + classifier 張 (for flat things) + noun. Even with 'this/that', classifier required.

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Put it into practice

Try a free exercise from the course

Frequently asked questions

When is 量詞 used?: In Cantonese, you CANNOT say "three books" directly. You need a classifier between the number and noun:
How is 量詞 formed?: Tip: When in doubt, use 個 go3 — it works as a general classifier for most things.
What are common mistakes with 量詞?: EN/DE/CS/RU speakers: Omitting classifier entirely (*三書 instead of 三本書). JP speakers: Familiar with counters — Cantonese classifiers are similar. Mandarin speakers: Most classifiers identical — 個/隻/本/杯/條/件.