Contar en chino: La magia de los clasificadores (`个`, `本`, `张`)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Chinese, you cannot count nouns directly; you must use a 'measure word' as a bridge between numbers and objects.
- Use 'Number + Measure Word + Noun' for counting: {三|sān} {个|gè} {人|rén} (three people).
- The word {个|gè} is the 'universal' measure word if you forget the specific one.
- Measure words are required even for singular items: {一|yī} {本|běn} {书|shū} (one book).
Overview
un perro en chino?una taza de caféo
una rebanada de pan.
个 es la versión del estudiante vago.How This Grammar Works
una [cosa-plana] mesa o dos [cosas-encuadernadas] libros.这 (este) o 那 (ese).
Formation Pattern
一, 二).
个, 本, 张).
两 en lugar de 二 al contar dos cosas.
Este/Ese: 这 + Clasificador + Sustantivo.
When To Use It
两杯.一件.ese chico en el gimnasio requiere 那个人.
Common Mistakes
个 Universal二 en lugar de 两 al contar.二个; di siempre 两个.Contrast With Similar Patterns
张 y las alargadas 条.Quick FAQ
P: ¿Puedo usar 个 para todo?
R: Puedes, pero sonarás como un niño pequeño. Usa los específicos para impresionar.
P: ¿Por qué 两 y no 二?
R: 二 es para matemáticas. 两 es para contar cosas físicas.
P: ¿Hay clasificadores para cosas abstractas?
R: ¡Sí! Como 一个主意 (una idea).
Basic Counting Structure
| Number | Measure Word | Noun | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
{一|yī}
|
{个|gè}
|
{人|rén}
|
{一|yī} {个|gè} {人|rén}
|
|
{两|liǎng}
|
{本|běn}
|
{书|shū}
|
{两|liǎng} {本|běn} {书|shū}
|
|
{三|sān}
|
{张|zhāng}
|
{纸|zhǐ}
|
{三|sān} {张|zhāng} {纸|zhǐ}
|
|
{四|sì}
|
{个|gè}
|
{苹|píng} {果|guǒ}
|
{四|sì} {个|gè} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ}
|
|
{五|wǔ}
|
{本|běn}
|
{杂|zá} {志|zhì}
|
{五|wǔ} {本|běn} {杂|zá} {志|zhì}
|
|
{六|liù}
|
{张|zhāng}
|
{桌|zhuō} {子|zi}
|
{六|liù} {张|zhāng} {桌|zhuō} {子|zi}
|
Meanings
Measure words (classifiers) are required grammatical particles used to quantify nouns, acting as a bridge between a number and the object being counted.
General Counting
Used for most people and general objects.
“{一|yī} {个|gè} {学|xué} {生|shēng}”
“{三|sān} {个|gè} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ}”
Flat Objects
Used for paper, tables, beds, or photos.
“{一|yī} {张|zhāng} {纸|zhǐ}”
“{两|liǎng} {张|zhāng} {照|zhào} {片|piàn}”
Bound Volumes
Used for books, magazines, or dictionaries.
“{一|yī} {本|běn} {书|shū}”
“{两|liǎng} {本|běn} {杂|zá} {志|zhì}”
Reference Table
| Clasificador | Se usa para | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
|
{个|gè}
|
Personas, objetos generales, cosas abstractas
|
{一个人|yī gè rén} (Una persona)
|
|
{本|běn}
|
Libros, revistas, cosas encuadernadas
|
{两本书|liǎng běn shū} (Dos libros)
|
|
{张|zhāng}
|
Cosas planas (papel, mesas, boletos)
|
{三张纸|sān zhāng zhǐ} (Tres hojas de papel)
|
|
{只|zhī}
|
Animales pequeños, uno de un par (ojos, zapatos)
|
{一只猫|yī zhī māo} (Un gato)
|
|
{条|tiáo}
|
Cosas largas y flexibles (peces, pantalones, caminos)
|
{一条鱼|yī tiáo yú} (Un pez)
|
|
{件|jiàn}
|
Ropa, asuntos, regalos
|
{一件衣服|yī jiàn yīfu} (Una prenda de ropa)
|
|
{杯|bēi}
|
Tazas o vasos de líquido
|
{一杯茶|yī bēi chá} (Una taza de té)
|
|
{块|kuài}
|
Trozos, piezas, dinero (informal)
|
{五块钱|wǔ kuài qián} (Cinco pesos/yuanes)
|
Espectro de formalidad
{我|wǒ} {拥|yōng} {有|yǒu} {三|sān} {本|běn} {著|zhù} {作|zuò}。 (General)
{我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} {三|sān} {本|běn} {书|shū}。 (General)
{我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} {三|sān} {本|běn} {书|shū}。 (General)
{我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} {三|sān} {本|běn} {书|shū}。 (General)
El núcleo del clasificador
Conteo Básico
- {个|gè} General
Basado en Forma
- {张|zhāng} Plano
- {条|tiáo} Largo
Números vs Cantidades
Eligiendo un clasificador
¿Es un libro?
¿Es plano?
Clasificadores esenciales A1
Animales
- • {只|zhī}
- • {条|tiáo}
Vida Diaria
- • {杯|bēi}
- • {件|jiàn}
- • {块|kuài}
Ejemplos por nivel
{我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} {一|yī} {个|gè} {朋|péng} {友|yǒu}。
I have one friend.
{这|zhè} {是|shì} {一|yī} {本|běn} {书|shū}。
This is a book.
{我|wǒ} {要|yào} {两|liǎng} {个|gè} {汉|hàn} {堡|bǎo}。
I want two burgers.
{那|nà} {是|shì} {一|yī} {张|zhāng} {照|zhào} {片|piàn}。
That is a photo.
{你|nǐ} {有|yǒu} {几|jǐ} {本|běn} {中|zhōng} {文|wén} {书|shū}？
How many Chinese books do you have?
{我|wǒ} {买|mǎi} {了|le} {三|sān} {张|zhāng} {电|diàn} {影|yǐng} {票|piào}。
I bought three movie tickets.
{他|tā} {有|yǒu} {两|liǎng} {个|gè} {弟|dì} {弟|di}。
He has two younger brothers.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ} {很|hěn} {甜|tián}。
This apple is very sweet.
{这|zhè} {本|běn} {小|xiǎo} {说|shuō} {我|wǒ} {看|kàn} {过|guò} {两|liǎng} {遍|biàn}。
I have read this novel twice.
{请|qǐng} {给|gěi} {我|wǒ} {一|yī} {张|zhāng} {空|kōng} {白|bái} {的|de} {纸|zhǐ}。
Please give me a blank sheet of paper.
{他|tā} {是|shì} {一|yī} {个|gè} {很|hěn} {有|yǒu} {才|cái} {华|huá} {的|de} {人|rén}。
He is a very talented person.
{这|zhè} {几|jǐ} {本|běn} {杂|zá} {志|zhì} {都|dōu} {是|shì} {新|xīn} {的|de}。
These few magazines are all new.
{那|nà} {一|yī} {张|zhāng} {桌|zhuō} {子|zi} {上|shàng} {放|fàng} {着|zhe} {一|yī} {本|běn} {词|cí} {典|diǎn}。
There is a dictionary on that table.
{每|měi} {一|yī} {个|gè} {人|rén} {都|dōu} {应|yīng} {该|gāi} {有|yǒu} {一|yī} {个|gè} {梦|mèng} {想|xiǎng}。
Everyone should have a dream.
{我|wǒ} {需|xū} {要|yào} {两|liǎng} {张|zhāng} {飞|fēi} {机|jī} {票|piào} {去|qù} {北|běi} {京|jīng}。
I need two plane tickets to Beijing.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {方|fāng} {案|àn} {有|yǒu} {三|sān} {个|gè} {优|yōu} {点|diǎn}。
This proposal has three advantages.
{这|zhè} {一|yī} {本|běn} {厚|hòu} {重|zhòng} {的|de} {历|lì} {史|shǐ} {书|shū} {记|jì} {载|zǎi} {了|le} {那|nà} {段|duàn} {岁|suì} {月|yuè}。
This thick history book records that era.
{他|tā} {拿|ná} {出|chū} {一|yī} {张|zhāng} {泛|fàn} {黄|huáng} {的|de} {地|dì} {图|tú}。
He took out a yellowed map.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {问|wèn} {题|tí} {的|de} {本|běn} {质|zhì} {在|zài} {于|yú} {沟|gōu} {通|tōng} {不|bù} {足|zú}。
The essence of this problem lies in poor communication.
{我|wǒ} {珍|zhēn} {藏|cáng} {了|le} {一|yī} {张|zhāng} {他|tā} {亲|qīn} {笔|bǐ} {签|qiān} {名|míng} {的|de} {照|zhào} {片|piàn}。
I treasure a photo signed by him.
{这|zhè} {一|yī} {个|gè} {细|xì} {微|wēi} {的|de} {差|chā} {别|bié} {往|wǎng} {往|wǎng} {被|bèi} {人|rén} {忽|hū} {略|lüè} {了|le}。
This subtle difference is often overlooked.
{那|nà} {一|yī} {本|běn} {古|gǔ} {籍|jí} {是|shì} {无|wú} {价|jià} {之|zhī} {宝|bǎo}。
That ancient book is a priceless treasure.
{他|tā} {在|zài} {纸|zhǐ} {上|shàng} {画|huà} {了|le} {一|yī} {张|zhāng} {草|cǎo} {图|tú}。
He drew a sketch on the paper.
{这|zhè} {个|gè} {概|gài} {念|niàn} {在|zài} {当|dāng} {代|dài} {语|yǔ} {境|jìng} {下|xià} {有|yǒu} {新|xīn} {的|de} {含|hán} {义|yì}。
This concept has new meaning in the contemporary context.
Fácil de confundir
Both are used for people.
Both mean two.
Both relate to flat things.
Errores comunes
{三|sān} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ}
{三|sān} {个|gè} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ}
{二|èr} {个|gè} {人|rén}
{两|liǎng} {个|gè} {人|rén}
{一|yī} {书|shū}
{一|yī} {本|běn} {书|shū}
{个|gè} {人|rén}
{一|yī} {个|gè} {人|rén}
{一|yī} {张|zhāng} {书|shū}
{一|yī} {本|běn} {书|shū}
{两|liǎng} {张|zhāng} {人|rén}
{两|liǎng} {个|gè} {人|rén}
{几|jǐ} {书|shū}
{几|jǐ} {本|běn} {书|shū}
{这|zhè} {书|shū}
{这|zhè} {本|běn} {书|shū}
{那|nà} {人|rén}
{那|nà} {个|gè} {人|rén}
{每|měi} {书|shū}
{每|měi} {一|yī} {本|běn} {书|shū}
{一|yī} {个|gè} {书|shū}
{一|yī} {本|běn} {书|shū}
{三|sān} {本|běn} {桌|zhuō} {子|zi}
{三|sān} {张|zhāng} {桌|zhuō} {子|zi}
{一|yī} {张|zhāng} {词|cí} {典|diǎn}
{一|yī} {本|běn} {词|cí} {典|diǎn}
Patrones de oraciones
{我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} ___ {个|gè} {朋|péng} {友|yǒu}。
{这|zhè} {里|lǐ} {有|yǒu} ___ {本|běn} {书|shū}。
{我|wǒ} {买|mǎi} {了|le} ___ {张|zhāng} {票|piào}。
{他|tā} {有|yǒu} ___ {个|gè} {优|yōu} {点|diǎn}。
Real World Usage
{两|liǎng} {个|gè} {汉|hàn} {堡|bǎo}
{一|yī} {个|gè} {人|rén} {去|qù}
{三|sān} {个|gè} {优|yōu} {点|diǎn}
{两|liǎng} {张|zhāng} {票|piào}
{一|yī} {本|běn} {好|hǎo} {书|shū}
{三|sān} {个|gè} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ}
El Plan B
La regla del 'Dos'
Sé muy educado
Smart Tips
Always use {两|liǎng} instead of {二|èr}.
Default to {个|gè}.
Use {位|wèi} for people.
Use {张|zhāng}.
Pronunciación
Tone of {一|yī}
The number {一|yī} changes tone depending on the following word.
Tone of {两|liǎng}
Always 3rd tone.
Statement
Number + MW + Noun ↘
Neutral declarative
Question
Number + MW + Noun + {吗|ma} ↗
Yes/No question
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of the measure word as a 'container' or 'shape' for the noun. {个|gè} is a generic box, {本|běn} is a book-shaped box, and {张|zhāng} is a flat-sheet box.
Asociación visual
Imagine you are at a post office. You have a box ({个|gè}) for people, a bookshelf ({本|běn}) for books, and a flat envelope ({张|zhāng}) for paper.
Rhyme
Number, measure, then the noun, never let the measure down.
Story
I went to the store to buy one book. I said, 'I need one {本|běn} book.' Then I bought a table. I said, 'I need one {张|zhāng} table.' Finally, I bought a friend. I said, 'I need one {个|gè} friend.'
Word Web
Desafío
Look around your room and label 5 objects using the 'Number + Measure Word + Noun' pattern.
Notas culturales
Standard Mandarin uses {个|gè} as the default. Using specific measure words is seen as educated.
Similar to Mandarin, but sometimes uses {位|wèi} more frequently for people to show respect.
Cantonese has its own set of classifiers, and they are used even more strictly than in Mandarin.
Measure words evolved from nouns that described the shape or container of the object being counted.
Inicios de conversación
{你|nǐ} {有|yǒu} {几|jǐ} {个|gè} {朋|péng} {友|yǒu}？
{你|nǐ} {桌|zhuō} {子|zi} {上|shàng} {有|yǒu} {几|jǐ} {本|běn} {书|shū}？
{你|nǐ} {今|jīn} {天|tiān} {买|mǎi} {了|le} {几|jǐ} {张|zhāng} {票|piào}？
{你|nǐ} {觉|jué} {得|de} {这|zhè} {个|gè} {方|fāng} {案|àn} {有|yǒu} {几|jǐ} {个|gè} {优|yōu} {点|diǎn}？
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
Score: /3
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercises{我|wǒ} {有|yǒu} {三|sān} ___ {书|shū}。
___ {个|gè} {人|rén}
Find and fix the mistake:
{三|sān} {苹|píng} {果|guǒ}
{个|gè} / {人|rén} / {三|sān}
Book, Person, Paper
{这|zhè} ___ {人|rén}
{我|wǒ} {要|yào} {两|liǎng} ___ {照|zhào} {片|piàn}。
Find and fix the mistake:
{二|èr} {本|běn} {书|shū}
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises{两___鱼|liǎng ___ yú} (Dos peces)
¿Cómo se dice 'esta taza de té'?
tres / personas / {个|gè} / {三个|sān gè} / {人|rén}
una prenda de ropa
{五个纸|wǔ gè zhǐ} (Cinco hojas de papel)
Libro / Gato / Café / Camisa
Refiriéndose a tres profesores:
{那___猫很可爱。|Nà ___ māo hěn kě'ài.} (Ese gato es lindo.)
dos libros
¿Cuál de estos usa {张|zhāng}?
Score: /10
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
They act as bridges between numbers and nouns, helping categorize objects.
No, it will sound unnatural and incorrect.
Use {个|gè}. It's the universal classifier.
Yes, when counting objects. {二|èr} is for numbers.
Almost, yes. Even abstract concepts can have them.
Chinese doesn't have plural noun forms; the number + measure word handles it.
No, classifiers can vary significantly by dialect.
Yes, 'this person' is {这|zhè} {个|gè} {人|rén}.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Articles/Quantifiers
Chinese classifiers are mandatory for all counts.
Partitive articles
Chinese classifiers are much more specific to object shape.
None
Chinese requires a classifier for every noun.
Counters (josuushi)
Japanese counters are often suffixes; Chinese classifiers are prefixes.
None
Chinese nouns don't change for plural.
Mandarin
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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