CHINESE MEASURE WORDS

Chinese Measure Words are definitely one of the most intimidating and confusing aspects of the language!

But don’t worry, there is actually a logic behind them and once you get it, they won’t seem as intimidating.

WHAT IS A CHINESE MEASURE WORD?

This isn’t a crazy foreign concept. If you know English, you already know about measure words!  

For example, when I want a sandwich, what will I use to make it? 

1. Two slices of bread
2. Two breads

You picked A, right?  Two slices of bread.

Slice is an example of a measure word in English. Other examples of measure words in English are “a stick of gum” or “a piece of paper.”

The big difference between Mandarin and English is that Mandarin uses measure words way more often than in English. In English measure words are normally used to measure (how much bread? A slice). In Mandarin, this is simply part of how nouns are used.  

At first, it may seem odd to use measure words with things like 老师 (teacher) or 苹果 (apple) that do not use measure words in English, but over time saying 一个老师 (a person teacher) will feel as natural as saying “a teacher.”

THE STRUCTURE

Measure words are always used (at least implicitly) with a number. For example, to say “one apple” or “an apple” you will say:

• 一 is the number
• 个 is the measure word
• 苹果 is the noun

No matter what your number, the measure word will never change as shown below:

COMMON MEASURE WORDS

Ideas for how to use this resource:

1. Read through each group and try to pick up what the unifying feature of each measure word is
2. Study through doodling – write the measure word and then draw some of the objects around it, to help cement the concept in your memory
3. Find words you already know on these lists and think of any words you already know in this category

Do not feel obligated to make flashcards and memorize each of these measure word-noun pairings right now. Focus on learning the measure words for the nouns you already know and developing a general understanding of the more common measure words.

条 tiáo

条 tiáo is for long, thin objects.

For some, like 狗 (gǒu, dog), this seems like a stretch, but imagining a long, thin dog in your head will help you remember this measure word + noun pairing!

张 zhāng

张 zhāng is typically used with things that you can open, spread, or unfold.

台 tái

台 tái is used for appliances or performances.

快 kuài

块 kuài is for chunks or pieces of something.

只 zhǐ，匹 pī，头 tóu

These measure words are typically used for animals and socks, shoes, or jewellery.

辆 liàng，列 liè，架 jià

This measure word is typically used for transportation objects.

座 zuò，栋 dòng

This measure word is used for buildings.

Collective Measure Words

Some measure words aren’t referring to individual objects, they’re referring to groups.

For an English example: A herd of elephants.  Herd refers to the collective group.

Some more examples from Mandarin:

FAQs

Learn Mandarin with Flexi Classes

Book online classes with the best teachers in the industry.

REGISTER

BONUS || Free PDF

As there’s a lot to take in when it comes to measuring words we thought we’d create a one-stop graphic that you can print and use at your own free will!

Our FREE Measure Words PDF is 8 pages in total and includes the most commonly used measure words in Mandarin.

The good thing, remember, is there is no pressure to learn all these.

Level up as and when you want. Perhaps study 5 new ones per day and start filtering them into conversation!

We hope you find it useful. Do share it, print it, and utilize it!

MORE FREE LESSONS

• Asking and telling the time

  00 点 00 分

• 很 to imply "very"

  N + 很 + Adj

• 要 to Indicate “want / need / should”

  S + 要 + Verb / Noun

• Using 怎么 to ask “how” 

  S+ 怎么 + Verb / Adj ？