100+ Frequently Used Chinese Measure Words (with Interactive Word Cards)
Learning Mandarin Chinese? You’ve likely noticed a big difference from English: measure words (量词, liàng cí). Instead of saying “three cars,” Chinese requires a specific measure word between the number and noun.
Measure words aren’t just grammar—they help you speak clearly, avoid confusion, and sound natural. With over 100 common measure words, mastering them is key to fluency.
In this article, Wukong Chinese helps you sort out the most practical measure words, organized by category. Below, you’ll find 100+ frequently used measure words across 5 key categories, each with Pinyin, English meaning, and real‑life example sentences.
Learn authentic Chinese from those who live and breathe the culture.
Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!
Get started free!Chinese Measure Words for People & Animals
This category includes measure words used to count people, animals, and living creatures—some are general, while others are specific to the size, type, or respect level of the subject. These are the most basic and commonly used measure words in daily communication.
| Measure Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Example Sentence & Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 个 | gè | Generic measure word (most common for people, small animals, and general objects) | 我有一个朋友。 I have one friend. |
| 位 | wèi | Polite/respectful measure word for people (used to show respect to guests, elders, or any person) | 欢迎各位来宾。Welcome all distinguished guests. |
| 名 | míng | Formal measure word for people (used in official contexts or for professionals, e.g., doctors, soldiers, students) | 我们班有二十名学生。There are twenty students in our class. |
| 只 | zhī | Measure word for small to medium-sized animals, birds, insects, and some small objects | 树上有一只鸟。 There is one bird on the tree. |
| 头 | tóu | Measure word for large animals (e.g., cattle, elephants), and also for some small animals (e.g., pigs, sheep) in casual speech | 农场里有五头牛。 There are five cows on the farm. |
| 匹 | pǐ | Measure word for horses, mules, donkeys, and some long, thin animals (e.g., wolves) | 他有一匹马。 He has one horse. |
| 条 | tiáo | Measure word for long, narrow animals (e.g., fish, snakes, eels, loaches) and long objects | 河里有三条鱼。 There are three fish in the river. |
| 峰 | fēng | Measure word for camels | 沙漠里有一峰骆驼。There is one camel in the desert. |
| 群 | qún | Measure word for groups of people or animals | 一群孩子在公园玩。 A group of children are playing in the park. |
| 对 | duì | Measure word for pairs of people or animals (e.g., couples, twins) | 那边有一对夫妇。 There is a couple over there. |
| 双 | shuāng | Measure word for pairs (used for people’s hands, feet, or paired animals) | 他有一双大眼睛。 He has a pair of big eyes. |
| 口 | kǒu | Measure word for family members (used to count people in a family) | 他们家有五口人。 There are five people in their family. |
| 伙 | huǒ | Informal measure word for a group of people (often with a casual tone) | 来了一伙朋友。 A group of friends came. |
| 羽 | yǔ | Literary measure word for birds (less common in daily speech) | 一羽鸽子落在窗台上。 A pigeon landed on the windowsill. |
People & Animals Measure Words Flash Card
Measure Words for Daily Objects & Stationery
This category covers measure words used for common daily items, stationery, and small objects. These measure words often relate to the shape, size, or function of the object, making it easier to visualize what is being described.
| Measure Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Example Sentence & Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 个 | gè | Generic measure word for most small daily objects | 我买了一个杯子。 I bought one cup. |
| 本 | běn | Measure word for books, notebooks, and bound documents | 他有十本书。 He has ten books. |
| 支 | zhī | Measure word for long, thin objects (e.g., pens, pencils, chopsticks) | 请给我一支笔。 Please give me one pen. |
| 张 | zhāng | Measure word for flat, thin objects (e.g., paper, photos, tables) | 桌上有一张纸。 There is one piece of paper on the table. |
| 把 | bǎ | Measure word for objects with handles (e.g., umbrellas, chairs, scissors) | 她有一把伞。 She has one umbrella. |
| 块 | kuài | Measure word for solid, block-shaped objects (e.g., soap, cake, chocolate) | 我吃了一块蛋糕。 I ate one piece of cake. |
| 条 | tiáo | Measure word for long, narrow objects (e.g., towels, pants, ropes) | 他有一条毛巾。 He has one towel. |
| 根 | gēn | Measure word for thin, long objects (e.g., ropes, chopsticks, hair) | 桌上有一根筷子。 There is one chopstick on the table. |
| 件 | jiàn | Measure word for clothing, furniture, and some large objects | 她买了一件衣服。 She bought one piece of clothing. |
| 台 | tái | Measure word for machines, appliances, and equipment (e.g., computers, TVs, phones) | 家里有一台电脑。 There is one computer at home. |
| 部 | bù | Measure word for electronic devices (e.g., phones, cameras) and works (e.g., movies, books) | 他有一部手机。 He has one mobile phone. |
| 盏 | zhǎn | Measure word for lamps and lights | 房间里有一盏灯。 There is one lamp in the room. |
| 瓶 | píng | Measure word for bottled objects (e.g., water, juice, oil) | 我买了一瓶水。 I bought one bottle of water. |
| 罐 | guàn | Measure word for canned objects (e.g., food, drinks) | 冰箱里有一罐可乐。There is one can of cola in the fridge. |
| 盒 | hé | Measure word for boxed objects (e.g., chocolates, matches, cosmetics) | 她有一盒巧克力。 She has one box of chocolates. |
| 袋 | dài | Measure word for bagged objects (e.g., rice, flour, snacks) | 买一袋大米。 Buy one bag of rice. |
| 卷 | juǎn | Measure word for rolled objects (e.g., paper, tape, cloth) | 桌上有一卷胶带。 There is one roll of tape on the table. |
| 枚 | méi | Measure word for small, round objects (e.g., coins, stamps, buttons) | 他有一枚邮票。 He has one stamp. |
| 颗 | kē | Measure word for small, round or granular objects (e.g., candies, pearls, stars) | 她有一颗珍珠。 She has one pearl. |
| 片 | piàn | Measure word for thin, flat pieces (e.g., bread, leaves, paper) | 地上有一片叶子。 There is one leaf on the ground. |
Daily Objects Measure Words Flash Card
Chinese Measure Words for Food & Drinks
Food and drinks have their own specific measure words, often related to the way they are served, their shape, or the container they are in. Mastering these will help you order food, talk about meals, and describe ingredients naturally.
| Measure Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Example Sentence & Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 碗 | wǎn | Measure word for food served in a bowl (e.g., rice, noodles, soup, porridge) | 我要一碗面条。 I want one bowl of noodles. |
| 杯 | bēi | Measure word for drinks served in a cup (e.g., water, tea, coffee, milk, juice, soda) | 请给我一杯茶。 Please give me one cup of tea. |
| 盘 | pán | Measure word for food served on a plate (e.g., dishes, fruits, snacks) | 桌上有一盘菜。 There is one plate of food on the table |
| 顿 | dùn | Measure word for meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) | 我吃了一顿丰盛的早餐。 I had a hearty breakfast. |
| 份 | fèn | Measure word for portions of food (e.g., takeout, set meals, desserts, salads) | 我要一份外卖。 I want one takeout order. |
| 道 | dào | Measure word for dishes of cooked food, including soups and snacks | 餐厅推出了一道新汤。The restaurant launched a new soup. |
| 块 | kuài | Measure word for solid food (e.g., meat, cake, tofu) | 他吃了一块牛肉。 He ate one piece of beef. |
| 片 | piàn | Measure word for sliced food (e.g., bread, meat, fruit) | 我吃了一片面包。 I ate one slice of bread. |
| 根 | gēn | Measure word for long, thin food (e.g., noodles, carrots, sausages) | 他吃了一根香肠。 He ate one sausage. |
| 颗 | kē | Measure word for small, round food (e.g., grapes, candies, nuts) | 她吃了一颗葡萄。 She ate one grape. |
| 粒 | lì | Measure word for small, granular food (e.g., rice, beans, seeds) | 碗里有一粒米。 There is one grain of rice in the bowl. |
| 串 | chuàn | Measure word for food served in a string (e.g., grapes, candied haws) | 我买了一串葡萄。 I bought one bunch of grapes. |
| 包 | bāo | Measure word for packaged food (e.g., snacks, instant noodles) | 他买了一包薯片。 He bought one bag of potato chips. |
| 罐 | guàn | Measure word for canned food (e.g., tuna, beans) | 冰箱里有一罐金枪鱼。There is one can of tuna in the fridge. |
| 瓶 | píng | Measure word for bottled drinks (e.g., juice, beer, oil) | 他喝了一瓶啤酒。 He drank one bottle of beer. |
Chinese Measure Words for Food & Drinks Flash Card
Chinese Measure Words for Transportation & Buildings
This category includes measure words used for vehicles, buildings, and structures. These measure words are often specific to the type, size, or function of the transportation tool or building.
| Measure Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Example Sentence & Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 辆 | liàng | Measure word for wheeled vehicles (e.g., cars, bikes, buses, motorcycles, tricycles) | 路上有一辆汽车。 There is one car on the road. |
| 架 | jià | Measure word for aircraft (e.g., planes, helicopters), also for cameras, telescopes | 他有一架相机。 He has one camera. |
| 艘 | sōu | Measure word for ships, boats, yachts, submarines, and other water vehicles | 港口有一艘游艇。 There is one yacht in the port. |
| 列 | liè | Measure word for trains, trams, convoys, or queues of vehicles | 有一列车队驶过。 A convoy of cars passed by. |
| 座 | zuò | Measure word for large buildings, bridges, mountains, towers, temples, statues | 山上有一座塔。 There is one tower on the mountain. |
| 栋 | dòng | Measure word for buildings, including houses, apartments, high-rises, and villas | 那边有一栋房子。 There is one building over there. |
| 间 | jiān | Measure word for rooms (e.g., bedrooms, offices, shops, classrooms) | 学校有二十间教室。The school has twenty classrooms. |
| 扇 | shàn | Measure word for doors, windows, and electric fans | 房间里有一扇窗户。 There is one window in the room. |
| 面 | miàn | Measure word for walls, flags, mirrors | 墙上有一面镜子。 There is one mirror on the wall. |
| 条 | tiáo | Measure word for long, narrow features like roads, rivers, streets, railways, and paths | 城市里有一条大河。 There is a big river in the city. |
| 段 | duàn | Measure word for a section of road, river, or pipe | 这段路很宽。 This section of road is very wide. |
Chinese Measure Words for Transportation & Buildings Flashcard
Chinese Measure Words for Abstract & Other Things
This category covers measure words used for abstract concepts, actions, events, and other intangible things. These are often used in daily conversations to describe feelings, experiences, and ideas.
| Measure Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Example Sentence & Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 种 | zhǒng | Measure word for types, kinds, or varieties | 我喜欢这种水果。 I like this kind of fruit. |
| 项 | xiàng | Measure word for items, projects, tasks, or skills | 他完成了一项任务。 He completed one task. |
| 场 | chǎng | Measure word for events, activities, or performances (e.g., movies, games, rain) | 我看了一场电影。 I watched one movie. |
| 阵 | zhèn | Measure word for short, sudden events (e.g., wind, rain, applause) | 来了一阵风。 A gust of wind came. |
| 件 | jiàn | Measure word for matters, events, or incidents | 发生了一件小事。 A small incident happened. |
| 次 | cì | Measure word for times (actions, events) | 我去了三次北京。 I went to Beijing three times. |
| 回 | huí | Measure word for times (actions, visits) (similar to 次，more casual) | 他来了一回。 He came once. |
| 门 | mén | Measure word for courses, skills, subjects, and also for weapons (e.g., cannons) | 他学了一门汉语课。 He took one Chinese course. |
| 封 | fēng | Measure word for letters, emails, or sealed items | 我收到了一封信。 I received one letter. |
| 则 | zé | Measure word for news, rules, or short stories | 我看到一则新闻。 I saw one piece of news. |
| 首 | shǒu | Measure word for poems, songs | 她唱了一首歌。 She sang one song. |
| 篇 | piān | Measure word for articles, essays, or passages | 他写了一篇文章。 He wrote one article. |
| 幅 | fú | Measure word for paintings, photos, or pictures | 墙上挂着一幅画。 There is one painting hanging on the wall. |
| 句 | jù | Measure word for sentences, phrases | 他说对了一句话。 He said one correct sentence. |
| 滴 | dī | Measure word for drops (e.g., water, tears, oil) | 眼里掉了一滴泪。 A tear fell from the eye. |
| 丝 | sī | Measure word for a little bit (e.g., hope, doubt) | 他有一丝希望。 He has a glimmer of hope. |
| 点 | diǎn | Measure word for a small amount (e.g., food, time, money) | 我需要一点时间。 I need a little time. |
| 股 | gǔ | Measure word for a stream, smell, or force (e.g., wind, smell) | 有一股香味。 There is a whiff of fragrance. |
| 桩 | zhuāng | Measure word for major events or incidents (more formal) | 发生了一桩大事。 A major event happened. |
Chinese Measure Words for Abstract & Other Things Flashcard
Summary: 100+ Frequently Used Chinese Measure Words Table
Below is a concise table summarizing all the frequently used Chinese measure words covered above, including their Pinyin, English meaning, and a simple example. For easy review and offline learning, click below to download the free PDF of this complete list—perfect for practicing anytime, anywhere!
Chinese Measure Words PDF (Downloadable)
Conclusion
Mastering Chinese measure words is key to speaking Mandarin fluently and naturally. Unlike English, where measure words are optional or limited, Chinese measure words are an integral part of daily communication—they help you describe objects, people, and events clearly, and avoid misunderstandings. With the 100+ frequently used measure words covered in this article, organized by practical categories, you can start applying them in your conversations right away.
Learn authentic Chinese from those who live and breathe the culture.
Specially tailored for kids aged 3-18 around the world!
Get started free!
Feifei graduated from Peking University with a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature and has 5 years of experience in Chinese language education. With a strong academic background in Chinese language and literature, she understands the learning needs of Chinese learners and is skilled at teaching in a professional, clear, and approachable way. Drawing on her extensive teaching experience, Feifei is committed to helping more learners understand the Chinese language and culture with greater ease and confidence.
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