Pattern
Measure words
Count and point to nouns with Number/Demonstrative + Measure + Noun.
Number/这/那/哪 + Measure + Noun
The required slot
Mandarin needs a measure between number/demonstrative and noun.
一个人、这本书、两杯水.
English articles do not replace this system.
个 and friends
个 is the general default for many nouns.
本/杯/件/位/只 cover frequent beginner needs.
Learn measures with nouns as chunks.
两 and questions
Use 两 before measures: 两个、两杯.
几个？哪本？ support questions.
多少 often pairs with broader amounts.
Shopping and ordering
Orders almost always include measures.
Memorize your usual café order as a full chunk.
Precision grows with exposure.
Examples
一个人
yí ge rén
one person
这本书
zhè běn shū
this book
两杯咖啡
liǎng bēi kāfēi
two coffees
那件衣服
nà jiàn yīfu
that piece of clothing
三位老师
sān wèi lǎoshī
three teachers (polite)
一只猫
yì zhī māo
one cat
哪个？
Nǎge?
Which one?
我要三个。
Wǒ yào sān ge.
I want three.
Tips
- Never skip the measure after a number in standard speech.
- Default to 个 when unsure, then refine.
- 两 before measures.
- Study measures with nouns, not in isolation lists only.
Cloze drills
1. this book
Full: 这本书
本
2. two cups of tea
Full: 两杯茶
两杯
3. three people (general)
Full: 三个人
个
4. which one?
Full: 哪个？
哪个