Learn · Lesson 13
Measure words
Number + measure word + noun—the default counting pattern.
Goals
- Use Number/Demonstrative + Measure + Noun
- Default to 个 when unsure in casual beginner speech
- Learn 本/杯/件/位/只 with common nouns
- Say 这个 / 那个 correctly
- Order food and objects with measures
The measure slot
Mandarin counts nouns with a measure word: 一个人、一本书、一杯水.
Demonstratives also need measures: 这个、那个、哪本书.
English “a/an” does not map cleanly—learn the frame.
one person
this book
that cup of tea
个 as a default
个 is the general measure for many everyday nouns.
Native speakers understand beginner 个 while you refine.
Still learn precise measures with nouns you actually say.
two apples
three questions
that place
High-frequency measures
本 for bound printed works, 杯 for cups of drinks, 件 for clothing/matters, 位 for polite people, 只 for some animals.
Learn them as chunks with nouns: 一杯咖啡、一件衣服.
Do not try to memorize hundreds of measures in week one.
one book
one coffee
one teacher (polite)
Ordering and buying
In cafés and shops, measures appear constantly: 两杯、三个.
两 replaces 二 before measures.
Practice with food and shopping phrase packs.
I want two cups of water.
Bring three baozi.
How much is this (clothing item)?
Practice strategy
When you learn a noun, learn one measure with it.
Make flashcards as full phrases, not bare nouns.
Use pattern drills that blank the measure word.
one cat
How many books?
Which one?
Takeaways
- Numbers and demonstratives need measure words before nouns.
- 个 is a practical beginner default.
- Learn measures with nouns as chunks.
- 两 appears before measure words.
Quick check
1. “This book” is…
2. Before a measure word, “two” is usually…
3. 一杯咖啡 uses 杯 because…