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How to count things in Chinese with measure words like 本

Number + Measure Word + N.

Measure words for counting

HSK 2Numbers and Measure Words

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.

Practice

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Characters

Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Measure words for counting” in Chinese?

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

Expressing "every" with "每 (měi)"

每 (měi) + Measure Word (+ Noun)

Ordinal numbers with "第 (dì)"

第 (dì) + Number (+ Measure Word)

Using "几 (jǐ)" to mean "several"

几 (jǐ) + Measure Word + Noun

Measure words with "this" and "that"

这 (zhè) / 那 (nà) + Measure Word (+ Noun)

Superlative "最 (zuì)"

最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))

Direction with "到 (dào) + place + 去 (qù)"

到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)

Expressing "although" with "虽然 (suīrán)" and "但是 (dànshì)"

虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯

Verbing briefly with "一下 (yíxià)"

Verb + 一下 (yíxià)