Chinese Measure Words in Chinese
个
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.
Published July 8, 2026
Reviewed July 8, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Number + Measure Word + Noun (个/本/张/条)
Read the structure
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. Keep the model Number + Measure Word + Noun (个/本/张/条) visible while you compare each sentence.
我有两台电脑。
I have two computers.
Choose the right context
Counting people and many general nouns: 三个人, 一个问题。 After 这 / 那 / 几 when a noun follows: 这个人, 几个苹果? As a spoken fallback when you genuinely don't know the specific measure word yet.
他借了一本书。
He borrowed a book.
Respect the boundary
Nouns with a dedicated measure word: 本 for books, 台 for machines, 张 for flat things, 条 for long thin things, 杯 for cups, 件 for clothes. Never drop the measure word between a number and a noun: 三书 is wrong, 三本书 is right. Don't stack two measure words: 一个本书 doubles up — pick one.
我有两个电脑。
(I have two computers.)
Repair the pattern
个 used where a specific measure word is required: 个 is only the fallback. When a noun has its own measure word, native ears and exam graders expect it — 电脑 is a machine, so it takes 台. Measure word omitted entirely: A Chinese number can never touch the noun directly. Every counted noun needs its measure word slot filled: 三本书, never 三书.
我有两台电脑。
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.
我有两台电脑。
I have two computers.
我有
Number
This part occupies the Number position in the model pattern.
两
Measure Word
This part occupies the Measure Word position in the model pattern.
台
Noun (个/本/张/条)
This part occupies the Noun (个/本/张/条) position in the model pattern.
电脑
Number
This part occupies the Number 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.
我有两台电脑。
I have two computers.
他借了一本书。
He borrowed a book.
桌上有一张纸。
There is a sheet of paper on the table.
我们班有二十个学生。
There are twenty students in our class.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Counting people and many general nouns: 三个人, 一个问题。
- After 这 / 那 / 几 when a noun follows: 这个人, 几个苹果?
- As a spoken fallback when you genuinely don't know the specific measure word yet.
Do not use it when
- Nouns with a dedicated measure word: 本 for books, 台 for machines, 张 for flat things, 条 for long thin things, 杯 for cups, 件 for clothes.
- Never drop the measure word between a number and a noun: 三书 is wrong, 三本书 is right.
- Don't stack two measure words: 一个本书 doubles up — pick one.
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.
我有两个电脑。
我有两台电脑。
个 used where a specific measure word is required
个 is only the fallback. When a noun has its own measure word, native ears and exam graders expect it — 电脑 is a machine, so it takes 台.
我买了三书。
我买了三本书。
Measure word omitted entirely
A Chinese number can never touch the noun directly. Every counted noun needs its measure word slot filled: 三本书, never 三书.
我有两个电脑。
Computers take 台. 个 is understood but marked wrong in exams and sounds non-native.
一个书
Books take 本.
一个衣服
Clothes take 件: 一件衣服。
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 个.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 个. 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
Chinese Measure Words Questions
Can I just use 个 for everything?
You'll usually be understood, but it's marked wrong in exams and sounds non-native whenever the noun has its own measure word — 本 for books, 张 for paper, 台 for machines.
Do I need a measure word after 这 and 那?
Yes, whenever a noun follows: 这个人, 那本书. The measure word sits between the demonstrative and the noun, exactly as it does after a number.
Which measure words should I learn first?
Start with the handful you'll meet constantly at HSK 1–2: 个, 本, 张, 条, 杯, 件 and 台. They cover most everyday nouns.
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.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 个
Supports the learner-facing account of where 个 appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 个
Cross-checks the Number + Measure Word + Noun (个/本/张/条) pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese 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: Appendix A, Level 1 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 1; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
概数：数词＋来＋量词Approximate Numbers with 来
Compare an exact numeral-classifier phrase with one made approximate by inserted 来.
Continue learning
放着Existential Sentences
Use a numeral-classifier noun phrase for a newly introduced existential participant.
Easy to confuse
层 / 封 / 件 / 条 / 位Choosing 层, 封, 件, 条, and 位
Move from general 个 to classifiers selected by semantic properties of the noun.
Continue learning
打 / 袋 / 根 / 卷 / 棵 / 批Specialized Noun Classifiers 打, 袋, 根, 卷, 棵, and 批
Continue to a wider intermediate inventory of specialized noun classifiers.
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Continue learning
Use a numeral-classifier noun phrase for a newly introduced existential participant.