Learning Chinese measure words (量词 liàngcí) can feel tricky, but it doesn’t have to be!
In this guide, we’ll take you on a fun supermarket trip and show you how to use five of the most common Chinese measure words with real-life examples.
Why Measure Words Matter in Chinese
In Chinese, you can’t just say “one apple” as 一苹果.
You need a measure word between the number and the noun.
So, it’s 一个苹果 (yī gè píngguǒ), not just 一苹果.
Learning measure words is essential for:
- Shopping
- Ordering food
- Talking about quantities
- Everyday conversation
A Fun Supermarket Lesson
Imagine we’re walking through a busy supermarket in China.
Every aisle teaches us a new measure word as we point at real items: fruits, vegetables, meat, candy, and more.
We’ll focus on 5 key measure words you’ll use most often:
- 个 (gè)
- 根 (gēn)
- 条 (tiáo)
- 颗 (kē)
- 只 (zhī)
1. 个 (gè) — The All-Purpose Measure Word
The most common and versatile measure word in Chinese.
Used for:
- Whole, individual, usually round or complete items.
Supermarket examples:
- 一个苹果 — one apple
- 一个西瓜 — one watermelon
- 一个奇异果 — one kiwi
- 一个包子 — one steamed bun
- 一个杯子 — one cup
Tip: When in doubt, start with 个.
It’s widely understood in daily conversation.
2. 根 (gēn) — For Long, Stiff, Stick-Like Items
Used for:
- Long, thin, and hard objects.
Supermarket examples:
- 一根黄瓜 — one cucumber
- 一根胡萝卜 — one carrot
- 一根香蕉 — one banana
More examples:
- 一根筷子 — one chopstick
- 一根蜡烛 — one candle
- 一根针 — one needle
Quick rule: If it’s straight and stiff, use 根.
3. 条 (tiáo) — For Long, Soft, Flexible Items
Used for:
- Long but bendable or flexible items.
Supermarket examples:
- 一条鱼 — one fish
More examples:
- 一条围巾 — one scarf
- 一条毛巾 — one towel
- 一条裤子 — one pair of pants
- 一条河 — one river
Tip: Compare with 根:
- 根 → long & stiff
- 条 → long & soft
4. 颗 (kē) — For Small, Round, Bead-Like Things
Used for:
- Small, round, or granular items.
Supermarket examples:
- 一颗蓝莓 — one blueberry
- 一颗葡萄 — one grape
- 一颗草莓 — one strawberry
More examples:
- 一颗糖果 — one candy
- 一颗巧克力豆 — one chocolate bean
- 一颗咖啡豆 — one coffee bean
- 一颗珍珠 — one pearl
Quick rule: If it’s small and round, use 颗.
5. 只 (zhī) — For Individual Animals
Used for:
- Individual animals and birds.
Supermarket examples:
- 一只鸡 — one chicken
- 一只鸭 — one duck
More examples:
- 一只狗 — one dog
- 一只猫 — one cat
- 一只小鸟 — one bird
Note: When talking about parts of an animal (like food), use 个:
- 一个鸡腿 — one chicken leg
- 一个鸡翅 — one chicken wing
Bonus Measure Words for Shopping
- 一块蛋糕 — one piece of cake
- 一块黄油 — one block of butter
- 一片吐司 — one slice of toast
- 一瓶牛奶 — one bottle of milk
- 一杯茶 — one cup of tea
Quick Reference Table
| Measure Word | Meaning | Typical Use | Supermarket Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 个 (gè) | General / default | Whole items | 一个苹果, 一个西瓜 |
| 根 (gēn) | Long, stiff | Stick-like items | 一根黄瓜, 一根筷子 |
| 条 (tiáo) | Long, flexible | Bendable items | 一条鱼, 一条围巾 |
| 颗 (kē) | Small, round | Bead-like items | 一颗蓝莓, 一颗糖果 |
| 只 (zhī) | Animals | Individual animals | 一只鸡, 一只猫 |
| 块 (kuài) | Chunk / block | Solid pieces | 一块蛋糕, 一块黄油 |
| 片 (piàn) | Slice | Thin slices | 一片吐司, 一片奶酪 |
Study Tips
- Practice with real objects while shopping.
- Pair the measure word with the noun as a phrase.
- Use flashcards with pictures for quick recall.
- Listen to native speakers in stores or markets.
Key Takeaways
- Measure words are essential in Chinese grammar.
- These 5 measure words cover most supermarket items.
- Visualizing the shape, size, and nature of the item makes choosing the right measure word easier.
- With practice, using the right measure word becomes natural.
Final Word
Learning measure words doesn’t have to be boring.
Next time you’re in a supermarket or watching a cooking show in Chinese, try naming each item with the right measure word.
It’s practical, memorable, and fun.
You might also find these posts interesting:
| A Guide for Mandarin Learners