How to count things in Chinese with measure words like 本
Number + Measure Word + N.
本 (běn) — measure words for counting
Number + Measure Word + N.
HSK 2Numbers and Measure Words本 (běn) — measure words for counting
Rule structure
Measure words (量词 (liàngcí)) are mandatory when counting nouns or using demonstratives (这 (zhè)/那 (nà)).
Rule structure
Measure words (量词 (liàngcí)) are mandatory when counting nouns or using demonstratives (这 (zhè)/那 (nà)).
Examples
我买了三本书。
Wǒ mǎi le sān běn shū.
I bought three books.
Examples
我买了三本书。
Wǒ mǎi le sān běn shū.
I bought three books.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “measure words for counting” in Chinese with 本?
Use the structure: Number + Measure Word + Noun. For example: 我买了三本书。 — “I bought three books.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我买了三本书。 — “I bought three books.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
每 — every with measure words
每 (měi) + Measure Word (+ Noun)
第 — ordinal numbers
第 (dì) + Number (+ Measure Word)
几 — several, a few
几 (jǐ) + Measure Word + Noun
这 / 那 — this and that with measure words
这 (zhè) / 那 (nà) + Measure Word (+ Noun)
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
一下 — verbing briefly
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)