Specific Classifiers 餐, 串, 滴, 副, and 股 in Chinese
餐/串/滴/副/股
These classifiers select distinct semantic shapes: 餐 counts meals, 串 counts linked or strung items, 滴 counts drops, 副 counts paired or set-like objects, and 股 counts streams, forces, smells, or moods. Each occurs between a numeral and a compatible noun, and the resulting quantity phrase must remain structurally intact.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Number + 餐/串/滴/副/股 + Noun
Read the structure
These classifiers select distinct semantic shapes: 餐 counts meals, 串 counts linked or strung items, 滴 counts drops, 副 counts paired or set-like objects, and 股 counts streams, forces, smells, or moods. Each occurs between a numeral and a compatible noun, and the resulting quantity phrase must remain structurally intact. Keep the model Number + 餐/串/滴/副/股 + Noun visible while you compare each sentence.
我们吃了一餐饭。
We ate a meal.
Choose the right context
Use 餐 for meals and 串 for linked items. Match each classifier to its conventional noun class. Use 滴 for individual drops of liquid. Use 副 for paired equipment and 股 for a current, force, smell, or mood.
桌上有两串葡萄。
There are two bunches of grapes on the table.
Respect the boundary
Do not reverse numeral and classifier. Do not insert aspect inside the quantity phrase. Do not substitute 副 for one member of a pair when counting individual pieces.
桌上有串两葡萄。
(There are two bunches of grapes on the table.)
Repair the pattern
Numeral follows the classifier: The classifier phrase requires numeral 两 before 串 and then noun 葡萄. Aspect marker splits classifier and noun: 一副球拍 is an intact quantity phrase; 了 cannot occur between classifier and noun.
桌上有两串葡萄。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我们吃了一餐饭。
We ate a meal.
我们
Number
This part occupies the Number position in the model pattern.
吃了
餐/串/滴/副/股
This part occupies the 餐/串/滴/副/股 position in the model pattern.
一餐饭
Noun
This part occupies the Noun position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我们吃了一餐饭。
We ate a meal.
桌上有两串葡萄。
There are two bunches of grapes on the table.
他买了一副球拍。
He bought a pair of rackets.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 餐 for meals and 串 for linked items. Match each classifier to its conventional noun class.
- Use 滴 for individual drops of liquid.
- Use 副 for paired equipment and 股 for a current, force, smell, or mood.
Do not use it when
- Do not reverse numeral and classifier.
- Do not insert aspect inside the quantity phrase.
- Do not substitute 副 for one member of a pair when counting individual pieces.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
桌上有串两葡萄。
桌上有两串葡萄。
Numeral follows the classifier
The classifier phrase requires numeral 两 before 串 and then noun 葡萄.
他买了一副了球拍。
他买了一副球拍。
Aspect marker splits classifier and noun
一副球拍 is an intact quantity phrase; 了 cannot occur between classifier and noun.
桌上有串两葡萄。
The classifier phrase requires numeral 两 before 串 and then noun 葡萄.
他买了一副了球拍。
一副球拍 is an intact quantity phrase; 了 cannot occur between classifier and noun.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 餐/串/滴/副/股.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 餐/串/滴/副/股. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Specific Classifiers 餐, 串, 滴, 副, and 股 Questions
Can 副 count glasses?
Yes. It commonly counts a pair or set such as 一副眼镜.
What can 股 count?
It classifies stream-like or force-like entities, including wind, smell, strength, and emotion.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 6 item 【六04】 (PDF p. 234)
Provides official Level 6 directory placement and examples only; it does not establish the learner-facing usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 8, Classifiers
Supports numeral-classifier-noun order and semantic classifier selection; GF item 【六04】 supplies these specific classifiers and examples.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
借用量词Borrowed Noun and Event Classifiers
Distinguish between the customary classification function of 餐串滴副股 and the measurement of temporary borrowed nouns, focusing on checking the semantic categories of the modified nouns.
Easy to confuse
栋/粒/枚/则/盏Advanced Nominal Classifiers
Compare 餐、串、滴、副、股 with 栋、粒、枚、则、盏 because each classifier selects a different noun class.
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个Chinese Measure Words
Connect the collocation of 餐串滴副股 to the general rules of noun quantifiers, and review the position of quantitative components before nouns.
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Connect the collocation of 餐串滴副股 to the general rules of noun quantifiers, and review the position of quantitative components before nouns.