HSK 1 grammar · new HSK syllabus
Measure words: 个, 本, 口, 块, 件, 只
Between a number (or 这/那) and a noun you need a measure word: 三本书, 这个人.
Structure
- Number + measure word + noun
- 这 / 那 / 哪 + measure word + noun
How it works
Chinese nouns can’t be counted directly. Put a measure word between the number and the noun: 一本书, 两个人, 三件衣服.
The same is true after 这, 那 and 哪: 这个, 那本书, 哪件.
个 is the general measure word and works for many nouns, but learning the specific ones makes your Chinese sound natural. At HSK 1: 本 books, 口 family members, 块 yuan and pieces, 件 clothes and matters, 只 animals, 杯 cups of.
For “two” before a measure word, use 两, not 二: 两个人.
Examples
-
我有三本中文书。
Wǒ yǒu sān běn Zhōngwén shū.
I have three Chinese books.
-
我家有五口人。
Wǒ jiā yǒu wǔ kǒu rén.
There are five people in my family.
-
这件衣服很漂亮。
Zhè jiàn yīfu hěn piàoliang.
This piece of clothing is pretty.
-
他家有两只猫。
Tā jiā yǒu liǎng zhī māo.
His family has two cats.
-
我想喝一杯茶。
Wǒ xiǎng hē yì bēi chá.
I’d like a cup of tea.
Words in these examples (23)
| 我 | wǒ | I; me | HSK 1 |
| 有 | yǒu | to have; there is | HSK 1 |
| 三 | sān | three | HSK 1 |
| 本 | běn | (measure word for books) | HSK 1 |
| 中文 | Zhōngwén | Chinese (language) | HSK 1 |
| 书 | shū | book | HSK 1 |
| 家 | jiā | home; family; (measure word for shops and companies) | HSK 1 |
| 五 | wǔ | five | HSK 1 |
| 口 | kǒu | (measure word for family members) mouth | HSK 1 |
| 人 | rén | person; people | HSK 1 |
| 这 | zhè | this | HSK 1 |
| 件 | jiàn | (measure word for clothes, matters, items) | HSK 1 |
| 衣服 | yīfu | clothes | HSK 1 |
| 很 | hěn | very | HSK 1 |
| 漂亮 | piàoliang | pretty; beautiful | HSK 1 |
| 他 | tā | he; him | HSK 1 |
| 两 | liǎng | two (before a measure word) | HSK 1 |
| 只 | zhī | (measure word for animals, and one of a pair) | HSK 1 |
| 猫 | māo | cat | HSK 1 |
| 想 | xiǎng | to want to; to think; to miss | HSK 1 |
| 喝 | hē | to drink | HSK 1 |
| 一 | yī | one | HSK 1 |
| 茶 | chá | tea | HSK 1 |
Common mistakes
-
✗三书
✓三本书
A number needs a measure word before the noun.
-
✗二个人
✓两个人
Use 两 before a measure word.
Check yourself
Choose the word that fills the gap.
1. 我买了两 衣服。
2. 你家有几 人？
3. 这 书是我的。