Measure words (量词 liàngcí) are essential in Chinese. Unlike English, you can’t say “one apple” - you must say “one [measure word] apple”.
In Chinesisch sind Zaehleinheitswörter wichtig. Im Gegensatz zum Englischen kann man nicht “eins Apfel” sagen - man muss “ein [Zaehleinheitswort] Apfel” sagen.
(gè) - The Universal Measure Word
is the most common measure word and can be used for many things, especially when you forget the specific measure word!
- - one person (yī gè rén)
- - two apples (liǎng gè píngguǒ)
- - three questions (sān gè wèntí)
(běn) - For Books and Magazines
Use for bound reading materials:
- - one book (yī běn shū)
- - two magazines (liǎng běn zázhì)
- - three dictionaries (sān běn cídiǎn)
(bēi) - For Cups/Glasses
is used for beverages in cups or glasses:
- - one cup of coffee (yī bēi kāfēi)
- - two glasses of water (liǎng bēi shuǐ)
- - three cups of tea (sān bēi chá)
(zhāng) - For Flat Objects
Use for flat things like paper, tables, beds:
- - one sheet of paper (yī zhāng zhǐ)
- - two tables (liǎng zhāng zhuōzi)
- - three photos (sān zhāng zhàopiàn)
(tiáo) - For Long, Narrow Objects
is for things that are long and thin:
- - one river (yī tiáo hé)
- - two pairs of pants (liǎng tiáo kùzi)
- - three fish (sān tiáo yú)
Practice Tip / Übungstipp
Start by mastering - it works for about 60% of situations! Then gradually learn specific measure words as you encounter new vocabulary.
Beginnen Sie damit zu meistern - es funktioniert in etwa 60% der Situationen! Dann lernen Sie nach und nach spezifische Zaehleinheitswörter, wenn Sie auf neues Vokabular stoßen.