Number-Adjective-Classifier Phrases in Chinese
数词+形容词+量词
In selected quantity expressions, a size adjective appears between the numeral and classifier, as in 一大杯茶, 一长串葡萄, and 一小份米饭. The adjective describes the measured unit, not the head noun independently. Number, adjective, classifier, and noun remain in that order, with no aspect marker inside the noun phrase.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Number + Size Adjective + Classifier + Noun
Read the structure
In selected quantity expressions, a size adjective appears between the numeral and classifier, as in 一大杯茶, 一长串葡萄, and 一小份米饭. The adjective describes the measured unit, not the head noun independently. Number, adjective, classifier, and noun remain in that order, with no aspect marker inside the noun phrase. Keep the model Number + Size Adjective + Classifier + Noun visible while you compare each sentence.
请给我一大杯茶。
Please give me a large cup of tea.
Choose the right context
Use 大 or 小 before a classifier to size the measured portion. Use shape adjectives such as 长 with a compatible classifier. Keep the head noun after the classifier.
她买了一长串葡萄。
She bought a long bunch of grapes.
Respect the boundary
Do not move the adjective after the classifier in this construction. Do not omit the classifier between adjective and noun. Do not insert aspect marking inside the quantity phrase.
请给我大一杯茶。
(Please give me a large cup of tea.)
Repair the pattern
Adjective precedes the numeral instead of sizing the classifier: The construction requires numeral-adjective-classifier order 一大杯; size adjective 大 cannot precede the numeral. Classifier omitted after the size adjective: A measured portion requires classifier 份 between size adjective 小 and noun 米饭.
请给我一大杯茶。
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.
请给我一大杯茶。
Please give me a large cup of tea.
请
Number
This part occupies the Number position in the model pattern.
给
Size Adjective
This part occupies the Size Adjective position in the model pattern.
我
Classifier
This part occupies the Classifier position in the model pattern.
一大
Noun
This part occupies the Noun position in the model pattern.
杯
Number
This part occupies the Number position in the model pattern.
茶
Size Adjective
This part occupies the Size Adjective 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.
请给我一大杯茶。
Please give me a large cup of tea.
她买了一长串葡萄。
She bought a long bunch of grapes.
他只吃了一小份米饭。
He ate only a small portion of rice.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 大 or 小 before a classifier to size the measured portion.
- Use shape adjectives such as 长 with a compatible classifier.
- Keep the head noun after the classifier.
Do not use it when
- Do not move the adjective after the classifier in this construction.
- Do not omit the classifier between adjective and noun.
- Do not insert aspect marking inside the quantity phrase.
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.
请给我大一杯茶。
请给我一大杯茶。
Adjective precedes the numeral instead of sizing the classifier
The construction requires numeral-adjective-classifier order 一大杯; size adjective 大 cannot precede the numeral.
他只吃了一小米饭。
他只吃了一小份米饭。
Classifier omitted after the size adjective
A measured portion requires classifier 份 between size adjective 小 and noun 米饭.
请给我大一杯茶。
The construction requires numeral-adjective-classifier order 一大杯; size adjective 大 cannot precede the numeral.
他只吃了一小米饭。
A measured portion requires classifier 份 between size adjective 小 and noun 米饭.
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 数词+形容词+量词.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 数词+形容词+量词. 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
Number-Adjective-Classifier Phrases Questions
Can every adjective occur before a classifier?
No. This slot strongly favors conventional size or shape descriptions of the measured unit.
How is 一大杯茶 different from 一杯大茶?
The first sizes the cupful; the second does not form the intended standard quantity phrase.
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 【六24】 (PDF p. 236)
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; Chapter 9, Noun phrase modification
Supports classifier phrases and modifier-before-head order; GF item 【六24】 supplies the special numeral-adjective-classifier sequence.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
A一量词，B一量词Alternating Unit Pattern A一量词，B一量词
Distinguish the internal modification of a single quantity unit of 数词形容词量词 from the multinomial parallel distribution of A - 量词B - 量词.
Compare
数词+量词+抽象事物Quantifying Abstract Matters
Distinguish 一大杯水, where 大 modifies the classifier unit, from 三项任务, where 项 classifies an abstract noun.
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定语语序Basic Attributive Order
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