Measure Word 场 (chǎng) for Events
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {场|chǎng} to count events that have a clear beginning and end, like movies, games, or rainstorms.
- Use {场|chǎng} for performances: {一|yī}{场|chǎng}{电影|diànyǐng} (one movie).
- Use {场|chǎng} for sports matches: {两|liǎng}{场|chǎng}{比赛|bǐsài} (two matches).
- Use {场|chǎng} for natural phenomena: {一|yī}{场|chǎng}{大雨|dàyǔ} (a heavy rain).
Overview
场 (chǎng) is a fundamental Chinese measure word, specifically employed to quantify events, performances, and occurrences that possess a defined beginning, duration, and conclusion. Unlike the versatile but less specific 个 (gè), 场 (chǎng) provides crucial semantic information, framing the noun it precedes as a complete, often immersive, experience rather than a mere object or abstract concept. For A2 learners, mastering 场 (chǎng) moves you beyond textbook approximations, enabling you to articulate events with the precision and naturalness of native speakers.
It signifies that the event occupies a discernible space-time continuum, inviting the listener to perceive it as a structured happening.
Historically, the character 场 denoted an "open space," "field," or "arena." This original meaning profoundly influenced its evolution: 场 became the quantifier for actions and spectacles that unfold within such designated spaces, ultimately broadening to encompass any event perceived as a bounded performance or occurrence. Thus, you use 一场电影 (yì chǎng diànyǐng) to convey the complete cinematic experience, contrasting with 一个电影 (yí gè diànyǐng), which might abstractly refer to a film title or a physical DVD disc. This nuanced usage is omnipresent in daily Chinese communication, from discussing a concert to describing a sudden rain shower.
How This Grammar Works
个 (gè) serves as a general-purpose measure word for countless entities, 场 (chǎng) is highly specialized.场 (chǎng) is its capacity to transform a noun from a static concept into a process or occurrence that unfolds and concludes. Consider a performance: it has a stage, an audience, a beginning, and an end. Similarly, a storm, while natural, has an onset, a peak, and a cessation, affecting a specific area.场 (chǎng) encapsulates these parameters, bundling the event into a singular, countable unit. For instance, 看一场比赛 (kàn yì chǎng bǐsài) describes the act of watching a complete sports match, emphasizing the entire duration and experience.场 (chǎng) are a vital phonological detail for A2 learners. When preceded by the number 一 (yī), which is originally first tone, it undergoes a sandhi rule, changing to the fourth tone: 一场 (yì chǎng). This is a consistent rule for 一 when followed by a fourth-tone measure word.场 (chǎng) over other measure words often highlights the scale or impact of the event**. A light drizzle might not warrant 一场雨 (yì chǎng yǔ), but a torrential downpour, demanding attention and affecting daily life, certainly would.场 (chǎng) elevates your comprehension beyond mere memorization, allowing you to intuitively apply it in diverse contexts.Formation Pattern
场 (chǎng) is straightforward and adheres to the standard Chinese measure word formula. You begin with a numeral or a demonstrative pronoun, followed by 场 (chǎng), and then the event noun. An optional adjective can be inserted before the event noun to provide additional description regarding its nature or intensity.
一 (yī) becomes yì. | 一场 | yì chǎng | "one (event)" |
这场, 那场 | zhè chǎng, nà chǎng | "this (event)", "that (event)" |
场 (chǎng) | 场 | chǎng | (classifier for events) |
大, 精彩的, 紧张的 | dà, jīngcǎi de, jǐnzhāng de | "big", "exciting", "tense" |
电影, 比赛, 雨 | diànyǐng, bǐsài, yǔ | "movie", "match", "rain" |
一场电影 (yì chǎng diànyǐng): "a movie" (literally, "one event of movie-watching"). This emphasizes the experience.
这场比赛 (zhè chǎng bǐsài): "this match." You are referring to a specific, ongoing, or recently concluded game.
一场精彩的演出 (yì chǎng jīngcǎi de yǎnchū): "an exciting performance." Here, 精彩的 (exciting) enhances the description of the event.
那场大雨 (nà chǎng dà yǔ): "that heavy rain." The adjective 大 (heavy/big) specifies the intensity of the rain event.
场 (chǎng) must inherently be an event or phenomenon that occupies time and often space. Attempting to use 场 (chǎng) with static objects or abstract concepts that do not fit this criterion will result in grammatical error.
When To Use It
场 (chǎng) is deployed across several distinct categories of nouns, primarily those representing structured or significant occurrences that unfold over a period. Understanding these categories is key to accurate application.- 1. Performances and Entertainment Events:
场 (chǎng) is consistently used for spectacles, shows, and cultural events designed for an audience. These are typically scheduled, have a specific duration, and occur in a designated venue.电影 (diànyǐng): movie.我们去看一场电影吧。 (Wǒmen qù kàn yì chǎng diànyǐng ba.)(Let's go watch a movie.)演唱会 (yǎnchànghuì): concert.你买到泰勒斯威夫特演唱会的票了吗? (Nǐ mǎi dào Tàilèsīwēifútè yǎnchànghuì de piào le ma?)(Did you get tickets for the Taylor Swift concert?)那场演唱会太火爆了! (Nà chǎng yǎnchànghuì tài huǒbào le!)(That concert was incredibly popular!)话剧 (huàjù): play, drama.我从未看过这么感人的一场话剧。 (Wǒ cóng wèi kàn guò zhème gǎnrén de yì chǎng huàjù.)(I've never seen such a moving play.)演出 (yǎnchū): performance.这场演出获得了全场起立鼓掌。 (Zhè chǎng yǎnchū huòdé le quánchǎng qǐlì gǔzhǎng.)(This performance received a standing ovation from the entire audience.)
- 2. Sports and Competitions:
场 (chǎng). These have clear rules, competitors, and a definite start and end.比赛 (bǐsài): competition, match.明天的篮球比赛在哪儿? (Míngtiān de lánqiú bǐsài zài nǎ'er?)(Where's tomorrow's basketball game?)这场比赛我们一定要赢! (Zhè chǎng bǐsài wǒmen yídìng yào yíng!)(We must win this match!)球赛 (qiúsài): ball game.上周的足球赛踢得真激烈。 (Shàng zhōu de zúqiú sài tī de zhēn jīliè.)(Last week's football match was really intense.)我们昨晚看了一场精彩的球赛。 (Wǒmen zuówǎn kàn le yì chǎng jīngcǎi de qiúsài.)(We watched an exciting ball game last night.)奥运会 (Àoyùnhuì): Olympic Games. While the overall event is large, individual contests within it still use场.参加一场奥运比赛是每个运动员的梦想。 (Cānjiā yì chǎng Àoyùn bǐsài shì měi gè yùndòngyuán de mèngxiǎng.)(Participating in an Olympic event is every athlete's dream.)
- 3. Weather Events:
场 (chǎng) quantifies significant weather phenomena that manifest over a period, affecting a certain area. It implies more than a fleeting moment of weather; it suggests an event of some duration or intensity that is noteworthy or impactful.雨 (yǔ): rain.外面下着一场大雨。 (Wàimiàn xià zhe yì chǎng dà yǔ.)(There's a heavy rain falling outside.)这场雨已经下了三天了。 (Zhè chǎng yǔ yǐjīng xià le sān tiān le.)(This rain has been falling for three days now.)雪 (xuě): snow.初冬的第一场雪总是令人期待。 (Chūdōng de dì yī chǎng xuě zǒng shì lìng rén qīdài.)(The first snow of early winter is always anticipated.)风暴 (fēngbào): storm.预报说会有一场特大风暴袭击沿海地区。 (Yùbào shuō huì yǒu yì chǎng tèdà fēngbào xíjí yánhǎi dìqū.)(The forecast says a super storm will hit the coastal areas.)
- 4. Significant Occurrences, Experiences, and Abstract Events:
考试 (kǎoshì): exam.我不想再经历一场期末考了。 (Wǒ bù xiǎng zài jīnglì yì chǎng qīmò kǎo le.)(I don't want to go through another final exam.)这场考试对我来说非常重要。 (Zhè chǎng kǎoshì duì wǒ lái shuō fēicháng zhòngyào.)(This exam is very important to me.)梦 (mèng): dream.昨晚我做了一场奇怪的梦。 (Zuówǎn wǒ zuò le yì chǎng qíguài de mèng.)(Last night I had a strange dream.) A dream is a complete, internal experience.误会 (wùhuì): misunderstanding.我们之间发生了一场误会。 (Wǒmen zhī jiān fāshēng le yì chǎng wùhuì.)(A misunderstanding occurred between us.) This signifies a specific, resolved or ongoing event that unfolds.大病 (dà bìng): serious illness.他经历了一场大病才懂得健康的重要性。 (Tā jīnglì le yì chǎng dà bìng cái dǒngdé jiànkāng de zhòngyào xìng.)(He only understood the importance of health after going through a serious illness.)争吵 (zhēngchǎo): quarrel/argument.他们为了一点小事,竟然大吵了一场。 (Tāmen wèile yì diǎn xiǎoshì, jìngrán dà chǎo le yì chǎng.)(They had a big quarrel over a trivial matter.) Here,大吵了一场emphasizes the scale and entirety of the argument, presenting it as a bounded incident.
场 (chǎng) consistently quantifies events perceived as unified, often impactful experiences that unfold in time.Common Mistakes
场 (chǎng) due to interference from their native language or overgeneralization of other Chinese measure words. Recognizing these pitfalls and understanding their underlying reasons is crucial for achieving fluency.- 1. Over-reliance on
个 (gè):
个 (gè) for 场 (chǎng). While functionally understandable in many contexts, using 个 (gè) for events like movies or games sounds less natural and lacks the specific nuance 场 (chǎng) provides.- Incorrect:
我看了一个电影。 (Wǒ kàn le yí gè diànyǐng.)(I watched a movie.) — Sounds like you're referring to a film as a singular item rather than the experience of watching it. - Correct:
我看了一场电影。 (Wǒ kàn le yì chǎng diànyǐng.)(I watched a movie.) — Emphasizes the complete viewing experience.
个 (gè). Early learners are taught 个 (gè) as the default, and it often suffices for basic communication. However, 场 (chǎng) specifically frames the event as a holistic, time-consuming occurrence, adding a layer of descriptive accuracy that 个 (gè) cannot.- 2. Confusing
场 (chǎng)with次 (cì):
场 (chǎng) and 次 (cì) relate to occurrences or actions. However, their focus is fundamentally different:场 (chǎng): Measures the event itself as a single, complete unit. It quantifies what happened, emphasizing its entirety.次 (cì): Measures the frequency or number of times an action occurs. It quantifies how many times something happened, focusing on repetition.
我看了一次电影。 | Wǒ kàn le yí cì diànyǐng. | "I went to the cinema once." (Focus: the action of going, how many times) | (Less common if referring to the film as an experience) | Counts action frequency |我看了一场电影。 | Wǒ kàn le yì chǎng diànyǐng. | (Less common if focusing on how many times you performed the action) | "I watched a complete movie." (Focus: the event of the movie) | Counts event as unit |他去了两次医院。 | Tā qù le liǎng cì yīyuàn. | "He visited the hospital twice." (Counting the actions of visiting) | (Not applicable with 场 for hospital visits, as it's not a single "event" in the 场 sense.) | Counts action frequency |次) and the holistic occurrence of an event (quantified by 场).- 3. Using
场 (chǎng)for physical locations:
场 can also mean "field" or "place," learners might mistakenly apply 场 (chǎng) to count the physical space itself. This is incorrect. 场 (chǎng) refers to the event happening within the space, not the bricks and mortar.- Incorrect:
一场操场 (yì chǎng cāochǎng)(one sports field) —操场 (cāochǎng)is a physical place. - Correct:
一个操场 (yí gè cāochǎng)(one sports field) —个 (gè)is used for physical objects/places. - Correct:
一场比赛在操场举行。 (Yì chǎng bǐsài zài cāochǎng jǔxíng.)(A match was held on the sports field.) —场 (chǎng)counts the match, not the field.
场. The key is to remember 场 (chǎng) quantifies events or occurrences, not static physical entities.- 4. Misapplication for TV shows or casual gatherings:
场 (chǎng) implies a certain level of formality, structure, or significance. It is generally not used for less structured or episodic content.- For TV shows: You use
集 (jí)for an episode (一集电视剧 - yì jí diànshìjù) or部 (bù)for an entire series (一部电视剧 - yí bù diànshìjù). TV shows are typically consumed episodically, lacking the singular, bounded event quality of a movie or performance. - For casual gatherings/parties (
聚会 (jùhuì),派对 (pàiduì)): Typically,个 (gè)or次 (cì)are preferred.一场聚会 (yì chǎng jùhuì)isn't strictly incorrect but sounds more formal, suggesting a highly organized or significant gathering rather than a casual get-together.
场 (chǎng) demands from the noun it modifies.Real Conversations
Observing 场 (chǎng) in authentic conversational contexts illuminates its natural usage beyond textbook examples. It appears frequently in discussions about shared experiences, future plans, or reactions to current events.
- Discussing Entertainment:
- A: 昨天那场电影你看没看? (Zuótiān nà chǎng diànyǐng nǐ kàn méi kàn?) – Did you see that movie yesterday?
- B: 看了!一场视觉盛宴,太震撼了。 (Kàn le! Yì chǎng shìjué shèngyàn, tài zhènhàn le.) – Yes! It was a visual feast, so impactful.
- C: 听说他演唱会门票很难买,你抢到票了吗? (Tīngshuō tā yǎnchànghuì ménpiào hěn nán mǎi, nǐ qiǎng dào piào le ma?) – I heard tickets for his concert were hard to get, did you snag one?
- D: 没呢,据说第一场秒光了。 (Méi ne, jùshuō dì yī chǎng miǎo guāng le.) – Not yet, apparently the first show sold out in seconds.
- Commenting on Weather:
- A: 这场雨到底什么时候停啊?都快发霉了。 (Zhè chǎng yǔ dàodǐ shénme shíhou tíng a? Dōu kuài fāmèi le.) – When will this rain finally stop? I'm almost molding.
- B: 天气预报说,还有一场暴雪在路上。 (Tiānqì yùbào shuō, hái yǒu yì chǎng bàoxuě zài lùshang.) – The weather forecast says there's another blizzard coming.
- Reflecting on Significant Occurrences:
- A: 大学生活就像一场大梦,醒来就毕业了。 (Dàxué shēnghuó jiù xiàng yì chǎng dà mèng, xǐng lái jiù bìyè le.) – University life is like a big dream; you wake up and you've graduated.
- B: 上次那场考试,我差点没及格。 (Shàng cì nà chǎng kǎoshì, wǒ chàdiǎn méi jí gé.) – I almost failed that last exam.
- C: 真希望世界能少一些战争,多一些和平。 (Zhēn xīwàng shìjiè néng shǎo yì xiē zhànzhēng, duō yì xiē hépíng.) – I truly hope there can be fewer wars and more peace in the world.
- D: 是啊,每一场战争都意味着无数的牺牲。 (Shì a, měi yì chǎng zhànzhēng dōu yìwèizhe wúshù de xīshēng.) – Indeed, every war means countless sacrifices.
These exchanges illustrate how 场 (chǎng) naturally integrates into daily conversation, providing a precise way to categorize and discuss various types of events. It is not confined to formal speech but is a staple in casual dialogues across different topics.
Quick FAQ
场 (chǎng)'s boundaries and nuances.- Q: Can I use
场 (chǎng)for a party or a casual gathering?
Generally, no. For informal gatherings like 聚会 (jùhuì) (gathering) or 派对 (pàiduì) (party), 个 (gè) is more common (一个聚会 - yí gè jùhuì), or you might focus on the action of having the party with 次 (cì) (开了一次派对 - kāi le yí cì pàiduì). 一场聚会 (yì chǎng jùhuì) can be used, but it sounds more formal or implies a highly organized event, perhaps one with a specific program or significance, rather than a casual get-together.
- Q: Do I use
场 (chǎng)for TV shows?
No. For a single episode of a TV show, use 集 (jí) (一集电视剧 - yì jí diànshìjù). For an entire TV series, use 部 (bù) (一部电视剧 - yí bù diànshìjù). TV shows are not typically viewed as single, bounded events in the same way a movie or live performance is, but rather as serialized content.
- Q: What if an event gets canceled? Do I still use
场 (chǎng)?
Yes. Even if an event is canceled, it still existed as a planned or conceptual event. You would refer to it using 场 (chǎng). For example, 这场比赛取消了。 (Zhè chǎng bǐsài qǔxiāo le.) (This match was canceled.) or 由于天气原因,那场音乐会延期了。 (Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, nà chǎng yīnyuèhuì yánqī le.) (Due to weather, that concert was postponed.)
- Q: Can
场 (chǎng)be used for video games?
For individual rounds or matches within a video game (especially competitive ones), gamers commonly use 局 (jú) (一局游戏 - yì jú yóuxì, one game/round) or 盘 (pán) (一盘棋 - yì pán qí, one game of chess/Go). However, for a major, organized e-sports tournament or a large-scale gaming event, 场 (chǎng) would be appropriate, as it quantifies the entire event itself, not just a single round within it.
- Q: What about a fire or a disaster?
Yes, 场 (chǎng) is typically used for significant disasters or incidents that unfold over time and have a notable impact. For example, 一场大火 (yì chǎng dà huǒ) (a big fire), 一场地震 (yì chǎng dìzhèn) (an earthquake), or 一场灾难 (yì chǎng zāinàn) (a disaster). These are clearly bounded, impactful events. 一场意外 (yì chǎng yìwài) (an accident) also fits this category, signifying a singular, discrete incident.
Measure Word 场 Formation
| Number | Measure Word | Noun | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
一
|
场
|
电影
|
一场电影
|
|
两
|
场
|
比赛
|
两场比赛
|
|
三
|
场
|
大雨
|
三场大雨
|
|
几
|
场
|
会议
|
几场会议
|
|
那
|
场
|
演出
|
那场演出
|
|
这
|
场
|
雪
|
这场雪
|
Meanings
The measure word {场|chǎng} is used to quantify events, performances, or natural occurrences that happen over a duration.
Entertainment/Performance
Used for movies, plays, concerts, or shows.
“一场电影”
“一场音乐会”
Sports/Competition
Used for matches or games.
“一场比赛”
“一场球赛”
Natural Phenomena
Used for weather events like rain or snow.
“一场大雨”
“一场雪”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Number + 场 + Noun
|
一场电影
|
|
Negative
|
没 + Verb + Number + 场 + Noun
|
没看一场电影
|
|
Question
|
Number + 场 + Noun + 吗?
|
是一场电影吗?
|
|
Quantity
|
几 + 场 + Noun?
|
几场比赛?
|
|
Demonstrative
|
这/那 + 场 + Noun
|
这场比赛
|
|
Past
|
Verb + 了 + 场 + Noun
|
看了一场电影
|
Formality Spectrum
本人观赏了一场电影。 (Talking about weekend plans.)
我看了一场电影。 (Talking about weekend plans.)
看了场电影。 (Talking about weekend plans.)
刚刷了场电影。 (Talking about weekend plans.)
Usage of 场
Entertainment
- 电影 movie
- 音乐会 concert
Sports
- 比赛 match
Weather
- 大雨 heavy rain
Examples by Level
我昨天看了一场电影。
I watched a movie yesterday.
这是一场好比赛。
This is a good match.
外面有一场大雨。
There is a heavy rain outside.
我想看一场演出。
I want to see a performance.
你看了几场球赛?
How many ball games did you watch?
昨晚那场音乐会很棒。
That concert last night was great.
我们还有两场会议。
We still have two meetings.
这真是一场意外。
This is truly an accident.
那场大雪让交通瘫痪了。
That heavy snow paralyzed the traffic.
他经历了一场失败的面试。
He experienced a failed interview.
这场辩论非常激烈。
This debate was very intense.
我们需要准备三场演讲。
We need to prepare three speeches.
这场风波终于平息了。
This disturbance has finally calmed down.
这是一场关乎未来的较量。
This is a contest concerning the future.
那场灾难改变了城市。
That disaster changed the city.
他策划了一场完美的阴谋。
He planned a perfect conspiracy.
那场旷日持久的谈判终于结束了。
That protracted negotiation finally ended.
这是一场精心编排的闹剧。
This is a carefully orchestrated farce.
他经历了一场深刻的心理变革。
He underwent a profound psychological change.
那场突如其来的变故令人措手不及。
That sudden change caught everyone off guard.
那场史诗般的战役被载入史册。
That epic battle was recorded in history.
这是一场关于存在主义的哲学探讨。
This is a philosophical discussion on existentialism.
那场洗礼让他脱胎换骨。
That baptism made him a new person.
这是一场博弈,胜负未定。
This is a game of strategy, the outcome is undecided.
Easily Confused
Both relate to counting, but 场 is for the event itself, while 次 is for frequency.
个 is a generic counter, but 场 is specific to events.
回 is often used for trips or occurrences, but 场 is for performances.
Common Mistakes
一个电影
一场电影
看电影一场
看一场电影
二场电影
两场电影
看电影了
看了一场电影
两回比赛
两场比赛
一场的雨
一场雨
几回电影
几场电影
那场面试很长
那场面试很长
一场的会议
一场会议
三场次比赛
三场比赛
一场的博弈
一场博弈
那场史诗战役
那场史诗般的战役
三场之会议
三场会议
Sentence Patterns
我昨天看了___电影。
那场___真精彩。
外面下了一场___。
我们还有___要准备。
Real World Usage
我要买两场电影票。
这场比赛太棒了!
我们还有一场会议。
明天会有一场大雨。
刚看完一场演唱会!
我经历了一场面试。
Think of the stage
Don't use 个
Use 两 for two
Weather events
Smart Tips
Always use 场 instead of 个.
Use 两, not 二.
Use 场 for rain or snow.
Use 场 for professional sessions.
Pronunciation
Tone
场 is third tone (chǎng).
Statement
我 看 了 一 场 电 影 ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'stage' (场) where a movie, a game, or a storm performs for you.
Visual Association
Visualize a theater stage. On the stage, a movie screen is playing, a soccer ball is rolling, and rain is falling from the ceiling. This is the 'stage' of events.
Rhyme
For movies and games that last a while, use 场 with a smile.
Story
Yesterday, I went to a theater. I watched one movie (一场电影). After that, I saw one basketball match (一场比赛). On the way home, I got caught in one heavy rain (一场大雨).
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your weekend using {场|chǎng} for at least two of them.
Cultural Notes
Used frequently in daily life for sports and movies.
Similar usage, often used in casual conversation.
Used in Cantonese, though sometimes replaced by local classifiers.
Derived from the concept of a 'flat area' or 'ground' where events take place.
Conversation Starters
你昨天看了一场电影吗?
你最喜欢哪一场比赛?
你经历过最难忘的一场面试是什么样的?
你如何看待那场突如其来的变故?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
我昨天看了___电影。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
我看了二场电影。
比赛 / 一场 / 看了 / 我
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 你看了几场电影? B: ___.
场 is only for movies.
我看了三场比赛。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises我昨天看了___电影。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
我看了二场电影。
比赛 / 一场 / 看了 / 我
Match:
A: 你看了几场电影? B: ___.
场 is only for movies.
我看了三场比赛。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises这是我今年看的第一___演唱会。
今晚的那个比赛非常精彩。
一场 / 昨天 / 下了 / 大雪
We have an exam tomorrow.
Select the noun that does not belong with 场:
Match the events:
这都是一___误会,你别生气了。
我看了一次很好看的电影。
面试 / 明天 / 一场 / 有 / 我
How do you say 'That match was canceled'?
How do you pronounce '一场'?
Match correctly:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, only for events with a duration like movies, sports, or weather.
个 is generic. 场 is specific and sounds more natural for events.
No, use 次 for frequency.
No, never use 的 after a measure word.
Yes, it's very common in business.
Always use 两.
Yes, it's standard in all registers.
Yes, like a storm or earthquake.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Una película / Un partido
Chinese requires a classifier for events.
Un film / Un match
No classifier system.
Ein Film / Ein Spiel
No event classifiers.
一回の試合 / 一本の映画
Different classifiers for different events.
مباراة واحدة / فيلم واحد
No classifier system.
一场电影
N/A
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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