HSK 1
Measure Words: 个 and Its Limits in Chinese
Every counted noun in Chinese needs a measure word. 个 is the general default, but many nouns require a specific one: 台 for machines, 本 for books, 张 for flat objects, 条 for long thin things.
STRUCTURE
Number + Measure Word + Noun
Right vs. wrong
我有两个电脑。
我有两台电脑。
个 used where a specific measure word is required
我买了三书。
我买了三本书。
Measure word omitted entirely
Examples
我有两台电脑。
Wǒ yǒu liǎng tái diànnǎo.
I have two computers.
他借了一本书。
Tā jiè le yì běn shū.
He borrowed a book.
桌上有一张纸。
Zhuō shàng yǒu yì zhāng zhǐ.
There is a sheet of paper on the table.
Common mistakes
我有两个电脑。
Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè diànnǎo.
Computers take 台. 个 is understood but marked wrong in exams and sounds non-native.
一个书
yí gè shū
Books take 本.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 个 sentence and let the coach check it.