B2 Measure Words 13 min read Easy

The Measure Word `笔` (bǐ) for Sums of Money

笔 (bǐ) acts like a container, bundling money into a specific 'sum' or 'transaction'.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {笔|bǐ} as a measure word for large, significant, or abstract sums of money, investments, or business transactions.

  • Use {笔|bǐ} for large, singular transactions: {一笔钱|yī bǐ qián} (a sum of money).
  • Use it for investments or business deals: {一笔投资|yī bǐ tóuzī} (an investment).
  • Do not use it for small change or physical coins: Use {个|gè} or {块|kuài} instead.
Number + 笔 (bǐ) + Noun (Money/Investment/Debt)

Overview

The measure word 笔 (bǐ) is a conceptual quantifier used primarily for sums of money, financial transactions, and related accounts. At its core, it does not count physical currency like bills or coins. Instead, it packages an abstract financial amount into a single, countable unit.

Think of it as answering the question "how many instances?" of a financial event, rather than "how much money?" Using 笔 elevates your expression from simply talking about money to discussing specific, delineated financial dealings, making it indispensable for everything from business contracts to splitting a dinner bill with friends.

Its origin is intrinsically linked to its other meaning: “pen” or “brush stroke.” In ancient China, all records, including financial ledgers, were kept by hand. Each entry or transaction was literally a “stroke of the brush.” Over time, this evolved, and 笔 became the measure word for the items being recorded: accounts, debts, and sums of money. When you use 笔 today, you are conceptually making an entry in a ledger, treating the sum as one distinct record.

For example, receiving 一笔奖金 (yī bǐ jiǎngxuéjīn) is not just getting scholarship money; it's receiving “one instance of a scholarship fund.” This simple word adds a layer of precision and formality that is characteristic of numerate, adult language.

At the B2 level, mastering 笔 is about more than just avoiding the common mistake of saying 一个钱 (yī gè qián). It’s about understanding the semantic function of classifying abstract concepts. Just as English uses “a piece of advice” or “an item of news” to make uncountable nouns countable, Chinese uses 笔 to transform the amorphous concept of “money” (钱, qián) or “business” (生意, shēngyì) into discrete, countable events.

This allows for precise discussion of complex financial activities, which is essential in both professional and personal life.

How This Grammar Works

The fundamental principle behind 笔 (bǐ) is conceptual bounding. It takes an abstract or mass noun related to finance and “bounds” it, turning it into a countable noun phrase. The noun 钱 (qián), money, is fundamentally uncountable in both Chinese and English.
You don’t have “three monies.” You have an amount of money. The measure word 笔 solves this by creating a countable instance: one transaction of money, one fund of money, or one account of money. It shifts the focus from the quantity of the money itself to the singularity of the financial event.
Let’s analyze this process. When you say 我收到一笔钱。(Wǒ shōudào yī bǐ qián.), you are communicating, “I was the recipient of a single, distinct financial transaction involving money.” The specific amount could be ten yuan or ten million yuan; the function of 笔 is to frame it as a singular occurrence. This is why it collocates so naturally with nouns that are inherently transactional or administrative in nature, such as 交易 (jiāoyì, a deal), 贷款 (dàikuǎn, a loan), 投资 (tóuzī, an investment), and 开销 (kāixiāo, an expense).
This grammatical function is not unique to 笔. Consider the measure word 场 (chǎng) for events. You can’t say 一个雨 (yī gè yǔ, one rain), but you can say 一场雨 (yī chǎng yǔ, one shower/spell of rain).
场 bounds the phenomenon of rain into a single event. Similarly, 笔 bounds the concept of a financial sum into a single event or record. Understanding this principle helps you grasp why 笔 is the correct choice and 个 (gè) is not.
个 is the default measure word for discrete, often tangible, objects. Using it for an abstract financial sum like 一个钱 is a categorical error—like trying to count water with a ruler.

Formation Pattern

1
The structure for using 笔 (bǐ) is consistent and follows the standard pattern for Chinese measure words. You place it directly after the number or demonstrative pronoun and before the noun. Adjectives describing the noun are typically placed before it, often with the particle 的 (de).
2
The core formula is: Number / Demonstrative + 笔 (bǐ) + (Adjective + 的 (de)) + Noun
3
Below is a breakdown of the pattern, from simplest to most complex, along with common nouns that collocate with 笔.
4
| Pattern Type | Structure | Example | Pinyin & Translation |
5
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
6
| Basic | Number + 笔 + Noun | 一笔钱 | yī bǐ qián (A sum of money) |
7
| | | 三笔交易 | sān bǐ jiāoyì (Three transactions/deals) |
8
| With Demonstrative| 这/那 + 笔 + Noun | 这笔贷款 | zhè bǐ dàikuǎn (This loan) |
9
| | 这/那 + Number + 笔 + Noun | 那两笔收入 | nà liǎng bǐ shōurù (Those two sources of income) |
10
| With Adjective | Number + 笔 + Adj. + 的 + Noun | 一笔很大的开销 | yī bǐ hěn dà de kāixiāo (A very large expense) |
11
| | | 一笔可观的资金 | yī bǐ kěguān de zījīn (A considerable sum of funds) |
12
| In a Full Sentence | Subject + Verb + (Number + 笔 + Noun) | 公司提供了一笔研究经费。 | Gōngsī tígōngle yī bǐ yánjiū jīngfèi. (The company provided a sum of research funding.) |
13
| | | 他欠了我好几笔账。 | Tā qiànle wǒ hǎo jǐ bǐ zhàng. (He owes me several debts/accounts.) |
14
Common Nouns Used with 笔:
15
钱 (qián) - money
16
资金 (zījīn) - funds, capital
17
款 (kuǎn) - a sum of money (often formal, e.g., 贷款 loan, 存款 deposit)
18
账 (zhàng) - account, debt
19
交易 (jiāoyì) - deal, transaction
20
生意 (shēngyì) - business deal
21
收入 (shōurù) - income
22
开销 (kāixiāo) - expense, expenditure
23
费用 (fèiyòng) - fee, cost
24
奖金 (jiǎngjīn) - bonus, prize money
25
投资 (tóuzī) - investment
26
遗产 (yíchǎn) - inheritance

When To Use It

You'll find 笔 (bǐ) used across a wide spectrum of contexts, from formal legal documents to informal chats. Its usage is determined not by the formality of the situation, but by the need to delineate a financial sum as a distinct item. Here’s a guide to its common applications.
  • Business and Finance: This is the most common and natural domain for 笔. It is standard in any discussion of financial operations. In this context, using 笔 is not just appropriate; it is expected.
  • 我们公司最近完成了一笔价值百万美元的交易。(Wǒmen gōngsī zuìjìn wánchéngle yī bǐ jiàzhí bǎiwàn měiyuán de jiāoyì.) (Our company recently completed a transaction worth one million US dollars.)
  • 为了扩大生产，他们需要一笔额外的资金。(Wèile kuòdà shēngchǎn, tāmen xūyào yī bǐ éwài de zījīn.) (In order to expand production, they need an additional sum of capital.)
  • Banking and Legal Contexts: In situations involving loans, contracts, compensation, and other official financial matters, 笔 provides necessary precision. It clarifies that a specific, agreed-upon sum is being discussed.
  • 银行批准了我的那笔汽车贷款。(Yínháng pīzhǔnle wǒ de nà bǐ qìchē dàikuǎn.) (The bank approved that car loan of mine.)
  • 根据合同，这笔赔偿金必须在三十天内支付。(Gēnjù hétóng, zhè bǐ péichángjīn bìxū zài sānshí tiān nèi zhīfù.) (According to the contract, this compensation payment must be made within 30 days.)
  • Personal Finance Management: When discussing your own budget, income, or significant expenses, 笔 is the perfect tool. It helps you talk about your financial life as a series of manageable items.
  • 这个月家里有几笔大额开销，得省着点花。(Zhège yuè jiālǐ yǒu jǐ bǐ dà'é kāixiāo, děi shěngzhe diǎn huā.) (The family has several large expenses this month, so we need to be more frugal.)
  • 我每个月都会存一笔钱作为紧急备用金。(Wǒ měi ge yuè dūhuì cún yī bǐ qián zuòwéi jǐnjí bèiyòngjīn.) (Every month I save a sum of money as an emergency fund.)
  • Informal Interpersonal Transactions: While 笔 can feel a bit formal for extremely small amounts (like buying a bottle of water), it's perfectly normal for transactions between friends, especially when the amount is significant enough to be tracked, like a shared dinner bill or rent money.
  • 你上次借的那笔钱什么时候还我？(Nǐ shàng cì jiè de nà bǐ qián shénme shíhòu huán wǒ?) (When are you going to pay me back that sum of money you borrowed last time?)
  • 我刚把这笔饭钱转给你了，查收一下。(Wǒ gāng bǎ zhè bǐ fànqián zhuǎn gěi nǐle, cháshōu yīxià.) (I just transferred this sum for the meal to you, please check for it.)

Common Mistakes

Navigating the use of 笔 (bǐ) involves avoiding a few classic learner pitfalls. Understanding the logic behind these errors will help you internalize the rule correctly.
  1. 1Using 个 (gè) for Sums of Money. This is the most frequent error. Saying 我收到一个钱。(Wǒ shōudào yī gè qián.) (✗) is grammatically jarring to a native speaker. The reason is semantic: 个 quantifies discrete, individual objects (one apple, one person). A “sum of money” is an abstract concept, not a tangible object. 笔 is required to create a countable “instance” of this abstract concept.
  • Incorrect: 他给了我一个钱。(Tā gěile wǒ yī gè qián.) (✗)
  • Correct: 他给了我一笔钱。(Tā gěile wǒ yī bǐ qián.) (✓) (He gave me a sum of money.)
  1. 1Confusing 笔 (sum) with 块 (currency unit) and 张 (bill classifier). These three are related to money but have distinct functions. Confusing them is a clear sign of a non-native speaker.
| Measure Word | Function | Example | Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 笔 (bǐ) | Quantifies a transactional sum or abstract fund. | 一笔钱 (yī bǐ qián) | A single, conceptual sum of money (e.g., a loan, an income payment). |
| 块 (kuài) | The colloquial unit of currency (like “buck” for dollar). | 一百块钱 (yībǎi kuài qián) | An amount: 100 yuan. It's the answer to "how much?" |
| 张 (zhāng) | Quantifies physical paper bills. | 一张一百块 (yī zhāng yībǎi kuài) | A physical object: one 100-yuan banknote. |
  • Incorrect: 我钱包里有三笔钱。(Wǒ qiánbāo lǐ yǒu sān bǐ qián.) (✗) (To mean three bills.)
  • Correct: 我钱包里有三张钱。(Wǒ qiánbāo lǐ yǒu sān zhāng qián.) (✓) (I have three bills in my wallet.)
  • Incorrect: 这顿饭花了一百笔。(Zhè dùn fàn huāle yībǎi bǐ.) (✗) (To mean 100 yuan.)
  • Correct: 这顿饭花了一百块。(Zhè dùn fàn huāle yībǎi kuài.) (✓) (This meal cost 100 yuan.)
  1. 1Overusing 笔 for Insignificant Amounts. While technically not a grammatical error, applying 笔 to a trivial amount can sound strange or overly dramatic. You wouldn't typically refer to the cost of a candy bar as 一笔开销 (yī bǐ kāixiāo). The word implies a sum that is significant enough to be noted or tracked.
  • Awkward: 我今天唯一的开销是买公交车票，就那一笔两块钱的费用。(Wǒ jīntiān wéiyī de kāixiāo shì mǎi gōngjiāo chēpiào, jiù nà yī bǐ liǎng kuài qián de fèiyòng.) (My only expense today was the bus ticket, just that one two-yuan fee.)
  • More Natural: 我今天就花了坐公交的两块钱。(Wǒ jīntiān jiù huāle zuò gōngjiāo de liǎng kuài qián.) (I only spent two yuan on the bus today.)
  1. 1Forgetting the Noun. Because 笔 can also mean “pen,” context is critical. Saying 我收到了一笔。(Wǒ shōudàole yī bǐ.) is ambiguous without context. While in a clear conversation about finances it might be understood, it's poor form. Always include the noun (钱, 款, 交易, etc.) for clarity.
  • Ambiguous: 老板给了我一笔。(Lǎobǎn gěile wǒ yī bǐ.) (The boss gave me a... sum? a pen?)
  • Clear: 老板给了我一笔奖金。(Lǎobǎn gěile wǒ yī bǐ jiǎngjīn.) (The boss gave me a bonus.)

Real Conversations

Textbook examples are useful, but seeing 笔 (bǐ) in authentic contexts reveals its versatility. Here are a few snippets of how it appears in modern communication.

S

Scenario 1

Work Email (Formal)
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Subject

关于Q3市场推广预算申请 (Regarding the Q3 Marketing Budget Application)

`李经理，

附件是我们团队为Q3准备的市场推广预算方案。其中最大的一笔开销是线上广告投放，预计需要八万元。请您审阅。`

(Manager Li,

Attached is the Q3 marketing budget proposal from our team. The single largest expense within it is for online advertising placement, estimated at 80,000 RMB. Please review it.)

A

Analysis

一笔开销 is standard, professional language for identifying a specific line item in a budget. It's formal and precise.
S

Scenario 2

WeChat Conversation (Informal)

- A: 昨晚火锅的账单我先付了，一共640块。 (I paid for the hotpot bill last night, 640 kuai total.)

- B: 好。我们八个人，那就是一人80。我马上把这笔钱转你。 (Okay. Eight of us, so 80 per person. I'll transfer you this sum of money right now.)

- A: 收到。 (Received.)

A

Analysis

Even in a casual chat, 这笔钱 is a natural way to refer to “this specific sum we are discussing” (the 80 yuan share). It’s efficient and clear.
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Scenario 3

News Headline (Formal, Financial News)

科技巨头宣布完成一笔高达十亿美元的收购交易。

(Tech giant announces the completion of an acquisition deal valued at up to one billion US dollars.)

A

Analysis

Here, 一笔...收购交易 frames the entire complex acquisition process as a single, monumental event. This is a very common structure in financial reporting.
S

Scenario 4

Conversation between Parent and University Student (Caring, informal)

- Parent: 这个月生活费够用吗？要不要再给你打一笔钱过去？ (Is your living allowance enough for this month? Do you need me to send another sum of money over?)

- Student: 够啦妈，放心吧！ (It's enough, Mom, don't worry!)

A

Analysis

一笔钱 here is a general, loving offer. It refers to a transfer of funds, treated as a single supportive action.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can 笔 (bǐ) be used for anything other than money or finance?

Primarily, it is tied to finance. However, its meaning can be extended metaphorically, especially with the noun 账 (zhàng), meaning account or debt. For example, 一笔糊涂账 (yī bǐ hútú zhàng) literally means “a muddled account,” but it's often used to describe a confusing, messy situation or affair that is hard to sort out. You might also hear 一笔交易 (yī bǐ jiāoyì, a deal) used metaphorically for non-financial arrangements. But these are extensions of its core financial meaning.

Q: How does the number used with 笔 change the meaning? For example, 一笔, 两笔, 好几笔.

The number functions just as it would with any other measure word. 一笔 (yī bǐ) refers to a single sum or transaction. 两笔 (liǎng bǐ) refers to two distinct transactions (e.g., 我今天收到了两笔退款。(Wǒ jīntiān shōudàole liǎng bǐ tuìkuǎn.) - I received two separate refunds today). 好几笔 (hǎo jǐ bǐ) means “several” or “quite a few” distinct transactions, often implying that the total number is notable or perhaps overwhelming, as in 他身上背着好几笔债。(Tā shēnshang bèizhe hǎo jǐ bǐ zhài.) (He is saddled with several different debts).

Q: Is 笔 only for large amounts of money?

Not strictly, but it is associated with sums that are considered significant enough to be treated as a distinct transaction. As mentioned in the mistakes section, it would sound odd to use it for a 2-yuan bus fare. However, a 200-yuan dinner bill is definitely 一笔钱 (yī bǐ qián). The threshold for “significant” is contextual. For a large corporation, a significant sum might be in the millions. For a student, a 500-yuan scholarship is 一笔可观的收入 (yī bǐ kěguān de shōurù) - a considerable income.

Q: Is 笔 formal or informal?

It's neutral. The word 笔 itself does not determine the register. Its formality comes from the context and the words it's used with. In a legal contract (这笔款项..., zhè bǐ kuǎnxiàng...), it sounds very formal. When texting a friend (把那笔钱转我, bǎ nà bǐ qián zhuǎn wǒ), it's completely informal. This versatility makes it a high-frequency, essential word to master.

Formation of {笔|bǐ} Phrases

Number Measure Word Noun Example
一
笔
钱
一笔钱
这
笔
投资
这笔投资
那
笔
生意
那笔生意
几
笔
债务
几笔债务
每
笔
开支
每笔开支
哪
笔
款项
哪笔款项

Meanings

The measure word {笔|bǐ} is used to quantify abstract or significant sums of money, debts, or business-related financial assets.

1

Significant Sums

Quantifying large or notable amounts of money.

“这{笔|bǐ}钱是给你的。”

“我有一{笔|bǐ}存款。”

2

Business/Investment

Quantifying financial transactions, investments, or debts.

“我们谈成了{一笔|yī bǐ}生意。”

“他欠我{一笔|yī bǐ}债。”

Reference Table

Reference table for The Measure Word `笔` (bǐ) for Sums of Money
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Number + 笔 + Noun
我有{一笔|yī bǐ}钱
Negative
Number + 笔 + Noun (negated)
我没有{一笔|yī bǐ}钱
Question
Number/Question + 笔 + Noun
你有{几笔|jǐ bǐ}投资？
Demonstrative
这/那 + 笔 + Noun
{这笔|zhè bǐ}生意很好
Plural/General
每 + 笔 + Noun
{每笔|měi bǐ}开支都要记录

Formality Spectrum

Formal
我拥有一笔巨额资金。

我拥有一笔巨额资金。 (Financial status)

Neutral
我有一笔钱。

我有一笔钱。 (Financial status)

Informal
我有一大笔钱。

我有一大笔钱。 (Financial status)

Slang
我有一大笔票子。

我有一大笔票子。 (Financial status)

Usage of {笔|bǐ}

笔 (bǐ)

Financial

  • 钱 money
  • 投资 investment

Business

  • 生意 business deal
  • 款项 funds
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Examples by Level

1

我有{一笔|yī bǐ}钱。

I have a sum of money.

2

这是{一笔|yī bǐ}大钱。

This is a large sum of money.

3

他有{一笔|yī bǐ}存款。

He has a sum of savings.

4

我需要{一笔|yī bǐ}钱。

I need a sum of money.

1

他欠我{一笔|yī bǐ}债。

He owes me a sum of debt.

2

我们谈了{一笔|yī bǐ}生意。

We discussed a business deal.

3

这是{一笔|yī bǐ}奖学金。

This is a scholarship (sum).

4

你有{几笔|jǐ bǐ}钱？

How many sums of money do you have?

1

这{笔|bǐ}投资很成功。

This investment was very successful.

2

公司有一{笔|bǐ}巨额开支。

The company has a huge expense.

3

我刚收到{一笔|yī bǐ}汇款。

I just received a remittance.

4

请处理这{笔|bǐ}账目。

Please handle this account/transaction.

1

这{笔|bǐ}资金将用于研发。

This capital will be used for R&D.

2

我们需要筹集{一笔|yī bǐ}资金。

We need to raise a sum of capital.

3

这{笔|bǐ}交易存在风险。

This transaction carries risks.

4

他挪用了{一笔|yī bǐ}公款。

He embezzled a sum of public funds.

1

该项目涉及{一笔|yī bǐ}庞大的预算。

The project involves a massive budget.

2

这{笔|bǐ}资产已完成清算。

This asset has been liquidated.

3

我们达成{一笔|yī bǐ}战略合作。

We reached a strategic partnership (deal).

4

这{笔|bǐ}坏账必须核销。

This bad debt must be written off.

1

这{笔|bǐ}款项的来源不明。

The source of this sum is unclear.

2

这{笔|bǐ}信贷额度已获批。

This credit line has been approved.

3

这{笔|bǐ}股权转让协议已签署。

This equity transfer agreement has been signed.

4

这{笔|bǐ}外汇储备至关重要。

These foreign exchange reserves are crucial.

Easily Confused

The Measure Word `笔` (bǐ) for Sums of Money vs 块 (kuài) vs 笔 (bǐ)

Both relate to money.

The Measure Word `笔` (bǐ) for Sums of Money vs 笔 (bǐ) vs 本 (běn)

Both are measure words.

The Measure Word `笔` (bǐ) for Sums of Money vs 笔 (bǐ) vs 支 (zhī)

Both use the character 笔.

Common Mistakes

✗

一笔苹果

✓

一个苹果

笔 is for money, not physical objects.
✗

一笔五块钱

✓

五块钱

笔 is for significant sums, not small change.
✗

这笔书

✓

这本书

Books use 本.
✗

一笔人

✓

一个人

People use 个 or 位.
✗

我有三笔钱在口袋里

✓

我有三块钱在口袋里

Physical money in a pocket is usually small change.
✗

那笔笔

✓

那支笔

The noun 'pen' uses 支.
✗

买一笔咖啡

✓

买一杯咖啡

Coffee uses 杯.
✗

这笔投资很小

✓

这笔投资金额很小

While possible, usually 笔 implies significance.
✗

他欠我一笔小钱

✓

他欠我一点钱

Small amounts don't use 笔.
✗

这笔生意很便宜

✓

这笔生意成本很低

Business deals aren't 'cheap'.
✗

这笔资产是我的手机

✓

这个资产是我的手机

Assets are abstract, but don't use 笔 for physical items.

Sentence Patterns

我有___钱。

这___投资很成功。

我们需要筹集___资金。

___开支必须记录。

Real World Usage

Banking App constant

您有一笔待处理的转账。

Business Email very common

关于那笔投资的细节...

Accounting Software very common

记录每笔开支。

Texting a friend occasional

我刚收到一笔钱。

Job Interview common

我曾管理过一笔大额预算。

Travel Agency occasional

这笔费用包含保险。

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💡

Think 'Ledger'

If you can imagine the money being written down in a ledger, use {笔|bǐ}.
⚠️

Avoid Small Change

Never use {笔|bǐ} for coins or small cash.
🎯

Professionalism

Using {笔|bǐ} in business meetings makes you sound native.
💬

Formal Tone

It elevates your speech from casual to professional.

Smart Tips

Ask yourself: Is this a transaction or just cash?

我有五块钱。 → 我有一笔五万元的存款。

Use {笔|bǐ} to sound authoritative.

我们要投资钱。 → 我们要投入一笔资金。

Always use {笔|bǐ} for financial figures.

记录钱。 → 记录每笔账目。

Use {笔|bǐ} to quantify the debt.

他欠我钱。 → 他欠我一笔债。

Pronunciation

bee-ee (low dip)

Tone

Third tone (bǐ). Ensure it dips low.

Emphasis

这{笔|bǐ}钱 (stress on bǐ)

Emphasizing the specific transaction.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'pen stroke' (笔) writing a large check. If it's a big check, use {笔|bǐ}!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant, golden checkbook. Every time you write a check for a large amount, you use a special 'money brush' to write the number. That brush is {笔|bǐ}.

Rhyme

For small change use {块|kuài}, for big deals use {笔|bǐ}!

Story

Mr. Wang is a banker. He carries a ledger. Every time a client makes a big deposit, he uses his special brush to write it down. He says, 'This is a big {笔|bǐ} of money!'

Word Web

钱投资生意债款项开支

Challenge

Write three sentences about your dream business using {一笔|yī bǐ} + [noun].

Cultural Notes

In business, using {笔|bǐ} shows you are serious about the transaction.

Bank tellers will use {笔|bǐ} when referring to specific deposit entries.

In reports, {笔|bǐ} is the standard for quantifying financial data.

The character {笔|bǐ} originally depicted a hand holding a brush.

Conversation Starters

“

你最近有做过什么投资吗？

“

你觉得多少钱算是一笔大钱？

“

如果有一笔钱，你会怎么花？

“

你处理过最麻烦的一笔账目是什么？

Journal Prompts

Describe a business idea you have.
Write about a time you had to manage a budget.
Reflect on the importance of savings.
Discuss a financial goal for the year.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

我有___钱要存入银行。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 一笔
Money sums use 笔.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这本书很贵
Books use 本.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

我买了一笔苹果。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我买了一个苹果
Apples use 个.
Order the words. Sentence Building

投资 / 一笔 / 有 / 我

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我有一笔投资
Standard structure.
Select the best fit. Multiple Choice

公司需要___资金。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 一笔
Capital uses 笔.
Fill in the blank.

___开支都要记录。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 每笔
Expenses use 笔.
Transform to formal. Sentence Transformation

我有钱。 (Use 笔)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我有一笔钱
Formalizing with measure word.
Select the correct context. Multiple Choice

When to use 笔?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Large investment
笔 is for money sums.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

我有___钱要存入银行。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 一笔
Money sums use 笔.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这本书很贵
Books use 本.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

我买了一笔苹果。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我买了一个苹果
Apples use 个.
Order the words. Sentence Building

投资 / 一笔 / 有 / 我

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我有一笔投资
Standard structure.
Select the best fit. Multiple Choice

公司需要___资金。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 一笔
Capital uses 笔.
Fill in the blank.

___开支都要记录。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 每笔
Expenses use 笔.
Transform to formal. Sentence Transformation

我有钱。 (Use 笔)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我有一笔钱
Formalizing with measure word.
Select the correct context. Multiple Choice

When to use 笔?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Large investment
笔 is for money sums.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

这 ___ 钱是我的全部积蓄。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 笔
Correct the error in this sentence. Error Correction

他欠了我三百个钱。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他欠了我三百块钱。
Which sentence is the most natural? Multiple Choice

How would you talk about a company's revenue?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 公司今年有一笔很大的收入。
Translate the following sentence into Chinese. Translation

The government provided a sum of relief funds.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 政府提供了一笔救济金。
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

完成 / 了 / 一笔 / 重要的 / 交易 / 公司

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 公司完成了一笔重要的交易。
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

这只是第一 ___ 付款，后面还有两 ___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 笔 / 笔
Match the Chinese term with its English meaning. Match Pairs

Match the financial terms:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

这是我收到的最大一个奖学金。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这是我收到的最大一笔奖学金。
Which measure word is used for a 'deal' or 'transaction'? Multiple Choice

Select the correct measure word for `交易` (jiāoyì).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 笔 (bǐ)
Translate 'several sums of money' into Chinese. Translation

'several sums of money'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 好几笔钱
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

他 / 投资 / 最近 / 又 / 一笔 / 了

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他最近又投资了一笔。

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

No, coins are small change. Use {块|kuài} or {个|gè}.

Mostly for money, debts, and business deals. It's very specific.

It's a homograph. The meaning depends on the noun that follows.

Yes, it is much more formal than {块|kuài}.

Yes, {一笔工资|yī bǐ gōngzī} is perfectly fine.

It will sound very wrong. Use {本|běn}.

Yes, it is standard in Mandarin and widely understood.

Use numbers like {几笔|jǐ|几} (several) or {duō|多} (many) before {笔|bǐ}.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

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3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

English high

A sum of

English doesn't require this for all money, only large sums.

Spanish moderate

Una suma de

Spanish is less restrictive about when to use 'suma'.

German moderate

Eine Summe von

German grammar is more rigid with noun cases.

Japanese low

筆 (hitsu) - rare as measure word

Japanese doesn't use 'brush' as a money counter.

Arabic moderate

مبلغ (mablagh)

Arabic is a noun, not a measure word.

Chinese self

笔 (bǐ)

None.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Measure Word 顿 (dùn): Meals, Scoldings, and Bursts of Action
Next
Expressing 'Have To': The Colloquial `得 (děi)`

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