Compter en chinois : La magie des classificateurs (`个`, `本`, `张`)
mots de mesure ou classificateurs. Pense à eux comme des ponts entre les nombres et les choses.
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 chien en chinois ?une tasse de caféou
une tranche de pain.
个 est la solution de l'étudiant paresseux.How This Grammar Works
une [chose-plate] table ou deux [choses-reliées] livres.
Formation Pattern
一, 二).
个, 本).
两 au lieu de 二 pour compter deux choses.
When To Use It
两杯.一件.ce gars à la salle de sport nécessite 那个人.Common Mistakes
个 universel est le plus fréquent.二 au lieu de 两 pour compter est aussi une erreur classique.Contrast With Similar Patterns
张, les objets longs 条.Quick FAQ
个 pour tout ?R: Vous pouvez, mais vous aurez l'air d'un enfant en bas âge.
两 et non 二 ?R: 二 est pour les chiffres. 两 est pour compter des objets.
R: Oui ! Comme 一个主意 (une idée).
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
| Mot de mesure | Utilisé pour | Exemple |
|---|---|---|
|
{个|gè}
|
Personnes, objets généraux, choses abstraites
|
{一个人|yī gè rén} (Une personne)
|
|
{本|běn}
|
Livres, magazines, objets reliés
|
{两本书|liǎng běn shū} (Deux livres)
|
|
{张|zhāng}
|
Choses plates (papier, tables, tickets)
|
{三张纸|sān zhāng zhǐ} (Trois feuilles de papier)
|
|
{只|zhī}
|
Petits animaux, un élément d'une paire (yeux, chaussures)
|
{一只猫|yī zhī māo} (Un chat)
|
|
{条|tiáo}
|
Choses longues et flexibles (poissons, pantalons, routes)
|
{一条鱼|yī tiáo yú} (Un poisson)
|
|
{件|jiàn}
|
Vêtements, affaires, cadeaux
|
{一件衣服|yī jiàn yīfu} (Un vêtement)
|
|
{杯|bēi}
|
Tasses ou verres de liquide
|
{一杯茶|yī bēi chá} (Une tasse de thé)
|
|
{块|kuài}
|
Morceaux, pièces, argent (informel)
|
{五块钱|wǔ kuài qián} (Cinq dollars/yuans)
|
Spectre de formalité
{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)
Le cœur des mots de mesure
Comptage de base
- {个|gè} Général
Basé sur la forme
- {张|zhāng} Plat
- {条|tiáo} Long
Nombres vs Quantités
Choisir un mot de mesure
Est-ce un livre ?
Est-ce plat ?
Classificateurs A1 essentiels
Animaux
- • {只|zhī}
- • {条|tiáo}
Vie quotidienne
- • {杯|bēi}
- • {件|jiàn}
- • {块|kuài}
Exemples par niveau
{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.
Facile à confondre
Both are used for people.
Both mean two.
Both relate to flat things.
Erreurs courantes
{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}
Structures de phrases
{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}
Le plan de secours
La règle du 'deux'
Être poli
Smart Tips
Always use {两|liǎng} instead of {二|èr}.
Default to {个|gè}.
Use {位|wèi} for people.
Use {张|zhāng}.
Prononciation
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
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
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.
Association visuelle
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
Défi
Look around your room and label 5 objects using the 'Number + Measure Word + Noun' pattern.
Notes culturelles
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.
Amorces de conversation
{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}?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
{我有一___书。|Wǒ yǒu yī ___ shū.}
Sélectionne la bonne façon de dire 'deux personnes'.
Find and fix the mistake:
{那是老师。|Nà shì lǎoshī.} (Signification : C'est le professeur.)
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
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} (Deux poissons)
Comment dis-tu 'cette tasse de thé' ?
trois / personnes / {个|gè} / {三个|sān gè} / {人|rén}
un vêtement
{五个纸|wǔ gè zhǐ} (Cinq feuilles de papier)
Livre / Chat / Café / Chemise
Pour parler de trois professeurs :
{那___猫很可爱。|Nà ___ māo hěn kě'ài.} (Ce chat est mignon.)
deux livres
Lequel de ces objets utilise {张|zhāng} ?
Score: /10
FAQ (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
Vidéos associées
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