In Mandarin Chinese, measure words (量词 liàngcí) are used between a numeral or demonstrative (like "this" or "that") and a noun. They help classify nouns based on shape, type, or other characteristics.

Here’s a list of common measure words grouped by category:

General Measure Words

1. 个 (gè) – The most common and neutral measure word (used for people, abstract things, etc.)

• 一个人 (yí gè rén) – "one person"

• 三个苹果 (sān gè píngguǒ) – "three apples"

2. 些 (xiē) – Used for an indefinite amount (like "some")

• 这些书 (zhè xiē shū) – "these books"

  
  

People & Animals

1. 位 (wèi) – Polite measure word for people

• 两位老师 (liǎng wèi lǎoshī) – "two teachers"

2. 名 (míng) – Formal for people (e.g., students, employees)

• 三名医生 (sān míng yīshēng) – "three doctors"

3. 只 (zhī) – For animals, birds, or one of a pair (like shoes)

• 一只猫 (yì zhī māo) – "a cat"

• 两只鞋 (liǎng zhī xié) – "two shoes"

4. 条 (tiáo) – For long, narrow animals (fish, snakes) or objects (rivers, pants)

• 一条鱼 (yì tiáo yú) – "a fish"

• 两条裤子 (liǎng tiáo kùzi) – "two pants"

  
  

Objects

1. 张 (zhāng) – Flat objects (paper, tickets, tables)

• 一张纸 (yì zhāng zhǐ) – "a piece of paper"

2. 本 (běn) – Books, notebooks

• 两本书 (liǎng běn shū) – "two books"

3. 辆 (liàng) – Vehicles (cars, bikes)

• 一辆车 (yí liàng chē) – "a car"

4. 台 (tái) – Machines, electronics (TVs, computers)

• 一台电脑 (yì tái diànnǎo) – "a computer"

Food & Drinks

1. 碗 (wǎn) – Bowls of something

• 一碗饭 (yì wǎn fàn) – "a bowl of rice"

1. 杯 (bēi) – Cups/glasses

• 一杯水 (yì bēi shuǐ) – "a glass of water"

1. 块 (kuài) – Pieces (cake, bread) or "yuan" (money)

• 一块蛋糕 (yí kuài dàngāo) – "a piece of cake"

  
  

Clothing & Accessories

1. 件 (jiàn) – Clothing, matters, things

• 一件衣服 (yí jiàn yīfu) – "a piece of clothing"

1. 双 (shuāng) – Pairs (shoes, socks, chopsticks)

• 一双袜子 (yì shuāng wàzi) – "a pair of socks"

  
  

Buildings & Places

1. 家 (jiā) – Businesses (shops, companies, restaurants)

• 一家公司 (yì jiā gōngsī) – "a company"

1. 座 (zuò) – Large structures (bridges, mountains, buildings)

• 一座山 (yí zuò shān) – "a mountain"

  
  

Special Cases

1. 口 (kǒu) – For family members or things with "mouths" (wells, pigs)

• 一口人 (yì kǒu rén) – "one person (in a family)"

1. 把 (bǎ) – Objects with handles (chairs, umbrellas)

• 一把椅子 (yì bǎ yǐzi) – "a chair"

1. 幅 (fú) – Paintings, pictures

• 一幅画 (yì fú huà) – "a painting"

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