HSK 1Measure Words
Basic Measure Words
Chinese requires a measure word between number and noun. 个 is the most common.
Pattern
Number + Measure Word + Noun
Explanation
Unlike English, Chinese always requires a measure word (classifier) between a number and a noun.
个 (gè) is the most common and can be used as default. Other common ones: 本 (books), 杯 (cups/glasses), 块 (money/pieces).
Examples
一个人
yí gè rén
one person
两本书
liǎng běn shū
two books
三杯水
sān bēi shuǐ
three glasses of water
Common Mistakes
Wrong
一人
Correct
一个人
Must use a measure word between number and noun.
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