量词: rules, examples & exercises | Chinese Grammar A1

量词

A1 — 名词

Measure words (classifiers) used between numbers and nouns

I can use common measure words with nouns

Measure words (classifiers) used between numbers and nouns

Examples

我有两只猫。 — I have two cats.
请给我三本书。 — Please give me three books.
这个人是我的朋友。 — This person is my friend.

名词A1

Measure Words

Measure words (classifiers) used between numbers and nouns

Learning Goal

I can use common measure words with nouns

Exam Skills:HSK 1 ReadingHSK 1 Writing

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

我有两只猫。

I have two cats.

请给我三本书。

Please give me three books.

这个人是我的朋友。

This person is my friend.

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

量词 — Measure Words

Chinese requires a measure word (classifier) between a number/demonstrative and a noun. The most common is 个 (gè), used as a general-purpose classifier.

量词	Pinyin	Used for	Example
个	gè	general (people, objects)	一个人 yí gè rén
本	běn	books, volumes	三本书 sān běn shū
杯	bēi	cups, glasses	两杯茶 liǎng bēi chá
只	zhī	animals	一只猫 yì zhī māo
件	jiàn	clothing, matters	一件衣服 yí jiàn yīfu

Key rule: You cannot say *一书 — you must say 一本书. When unsure, 个 is acceptable as a fallback.

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

Practice Exercises

Learners often omit the measure word entirely, saying *一书 instead of 一本书. 🇬🇧 English speakers: English has some classifiers (a 'piece' of paper, a 'cup' of tea) but they are optional. In Chinese, measure words are always required. 🇩🇪 German speakers: German has no classifier system. The closest parallel is gendered articles (der/die/das), but measure words are a different concept.

Common Error Patterns

Omitted measure word between number and noun

Always place a measure word between a number/demonstrative and a noun: 一个人, not *一人

Used wrong measure word for the noun category

Learn specific classifiers: 本 for books, 只 for animals, 杯 for drinks. When unsure, use 个

我有两只猫。

I have two cats.

只 (zhī) is the measure word for animals. 两只猫 (liǎng zhī māo) — 'two cats'. Note: use 两 (liǎng) not 二 (èr) before measure words.

请给我三本书。

Please give me three books.

本 (běn) is the measure word for books. 三本书 (sān běn shū) — 'three books'.

这个人是我的朋友。

This person is my friend.

个 (gè) is the general measure word used with 这 (zhè, this) and 那 (nà, that): 这个人 (zhè gè rén) — 'this person'.

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Put it into practice

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Frequently asked questions

When is 量词 used?: Chinese requires a measure word (classifier) between a number/demonstrative and a noun. The most common is 个 (gè) , used as a general-purpose classifier.
How is 量词 formed?: Key rule: You cannot say *一书 — you must say 一本书. When unsure, 个 is acceptable as a fallback.
What are common mistakes with 量词?: Learners often omit the measure word entirely, saying *一书 instead of 一本书. 🇬🇧 English speakers: English has some classifiers (a 'piece' of paper, a 'cup' of tea) but they are optional. In Chinese, measure words are always required. 🇩🇪 German speakers: German has no classifier system. The closest parallel is gendered articles (der/die/das), but measure words are a different concept. 🇷🇺 Russian speakers: Russian uses counting words for some categories (штука, пара) but Chinese requires classifiers for all nouns. 🇨🇿 Czech speakers: Czech has no equivalent system. The reflex to say 'number + noun' directly must be overridden.