Chinese Measure Words 1

個/个 (ge)

This is the single most common measure word in Chinese. It is also sometimes used as a substitute for other measure words. While it’s not technically incorrect, using it as a substitute for other measure words may make you sound like a child.

一個漢堡一个汉堡包　Yí ge hànbǎoYí ge hànbǎobāo
A hamburger.

兩個碗两个碗　 Liǎng ge wǎn
Two bowls.

📖 Why is 兩個碗两个碗 instead of 二個碗二个碗?

位 (wèi) 

位 wèi is a measure word used to count people. Compared to 個个 ge, the word 位 wèi is more formal and polite, and is used as a way of showing respect to the people you are talking about. It is important to note that when using 位 wèi as a measure word, it is always accompanied by an identify (such as Sir, teacher, guest, Korean, etc.) to show respect. Therefore, you cannot say “一位人 Yí wèi rén“ to mean ‘one person’, but should instead use ”一個个人 Yí ge rén.”

五位日本人　Wǔ wèi rìběnrén
Five Japanese

三位先生　Sān wèi xiānshēngSān wèi xiānsheng
Three men (gentlemen)

👁‍🗨 When you go to a restaurant, you will hear:
幾几位？　Jǐ wèi?
It means “How many (customers) are in your party?”

本 (běn)

The measure word 本 běn is used to quantify books, as well as bound documents or paper products. The use of 本 běn conveys a sense of the item being a complete and self-contained unit, and is therefore appropriate for books and similarly bound documents or paper products.

三本書书　Sān běn shū
Three books

一本小說说　Yì běn xiǎoshuō
A novel

兩本雜誌两本杂志　Liǎng běn zázhì
Two magazines

枝/支 (zhī)

The measure word 枝支 zhī is typically used to quantify long, thin, inflexible objects such as rifles, roses, pencils, or branches. Its literal meaning is ‘branch’. Remember do not use 枝支 zhī to quantify a soft, flexible object such as a scarf or a rubber hose.

兩枝鉛筆两支铅笔　Liǎng zhī qiānbǐ
Two pencils

一枝支箭　Yì zhī jiàn
One arrow

三枝槍支枪　Sān zhī qiāng
Three Guns

杯 (bēi)

杯 bēi is a measure word used for cup-like objects or beverages.

兩两杯咖啡　Liǎng bēi kāfēi
Two cups of coffee

一杯珍奶　Yì bēi zhēnnǎi
One cup of Bubble Milk Tea

Note: When you are counting cups or glass, the measure word should be 個个 ge instead of 杯 bēi.

三個个杯子　Sān ge bēizi
Three cups

瓶 (píng)

瓶 píng is a measure word used for bottle-shaped containers, such as bottles of water, soda, or other beverages.

一瓶水　Yì píng shuǐ
A bottle of water

十瓶紅红酒　Shí píng hóngjiǔ
Ten bottles of wine.

Note: When you are counting bottles, the measure word should be 個个 ge instead of 瓶 píng.

五個个瓶子　Wǔ ge píngzi
Five bottles

罐 (Guàn) 

The measure word 罐 guàn is used for objects that come in cans, pots, or jars, such as beverages, canned food, or pickles.

十罐啤酒　Shí guàn píjiǔ
Ten cans of beer

兩两罐蜂蜜　Liǎng guàn fēngmì
Two jars of honey

Note: When you are counting tins or jars, the measure word should be 個个 ge instead of 罐 guàn.

三個个罐子　Sān ge guànzi
Three jars 

塊/块(kuài)

The measure word 塊块 kuài is used for counting objects that are considered as a single, solid unit, such as chunks, pieces, blocks, or lumps. It is also commonly used for measuring money.

一塊块蛋糕　Yí kuài dàngāo
A piece of cake

十塊块錢　Shí kuài qián
Ten dollars

兩两塊块木材　Liǎng kuài mùcái
Two chunks of wood