A2 Measure Words 14 min read Easy

Counting Bottles: How to use 瓶 (píng)

Use 瓶 (píng) to count bottled liquids or items, ensuring you use the correct number-measure-noun sequence.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {瓶|píng} as a measure word for anything contained in a bottle, placed between the number and the noun.

  • Structure: Number + {瓶|píng} + Noun (e.g., {两瓶水|liǎng píng shuǐ}).
  • Use {几|jǐ} for questions: {几瓶啤酒|jǐ píng píjiǔ} (how many bottles of beer?).
  • Always use {一|yī} (one) before {瓶|píng} if counting a single item: {一瓶牛奶|yī píng niúnǎi}.
Number + 瓶 + Noun

Overview

Chinese grammar employs measure words (量词, liàngcí) as essential classifiers for counting nouns. Unlike English, where you might say "three books" or "a glass of water," Chinese requires a specific measure word to bridge the gap between the number and the noun. This system categorizes nouns based on their inherent characteristics, shape, or common container.

For items contained within a bottle, the designated measure word is 瓶 (píng).

The word 瓶 fundamentally functions as a classifier for anything held within a bottle, whether it's liquid, pills, or other small items. It signifies "a bottle of" or "bottled." Mastering 瓶 is crucial for developing fluency in Chinese, as it enables precise communication about quantities and avoids ambiguity. Its usage reflects a core aspect of Chinese linguistic structure: the meticulous classification of objects for enumeration.

Neglecting measure words like 瓶 often leads to grammatically incorrect or awkward phrasing, akin to saying "one water" instead of "one bottle of water" in English.

How This Grammar Works

The necessity of measure words like 瓶 stems from a foundational aspect of the Chinese language: noun quantification. In Chinese, nouns are typically treated as mass nouns unless specifically quantified by a measure word. This contrasts with English, which often has count nouns and mass nouns (e.g., "three apples" vs.
"some water"). When you encounter a noun in Chinese, it inherently lacks a singular/plural distinction and a direct countability without a classifier. The measure word 瓶 thus serves as a unitizer, converting the general concept of "water" (水, shuǐ) into a countable unit, such as "a bottle of water" (一瓶水, yī píng shuǐ).
Linguistically, measure words act as a bridge between numerals (or demonstratives) and nouns. They belong to a closed class of words that specify the semantic category of the noun being counted or referred to. 瓶 is classified as a container measure word, meaning it primarily describes the vessel holding the object rather than the object's intrinsic qualities.
This is a critical distinction: you are counting the bottles that contain the substance, not the individual units of the substance itself. For example, if you have two bottles of Coca-Cola, you are counting 两瓶可乐 (liǎng píng kělè), signifying "two bottles of Coke," not "two Cokes" as one might ambiguously say in English without specifying the container.
This system provides clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations. Imagine asking for "two beers" in English; it could mean two glasses, two cans, or two bottles. In Chinese, using 两瓶啤酒 (liǎng píng píjiǔ) explicitly specifies "two bottles of beer," leaving no room for doubt.
The conceptual framework is similar to English expressions like "a loaf of bread," "a sheet of paper," or "a cup of coffee," where a classifier (loaf, sheet, cup) is used to quantify an otherwise unquantifiable noun. 瓶 fulfills this exact function for any item packaged in a bottle.
Crucially, distinguish the measure word 瓶 (píng) from the noun 瓶子 (píngzi), which means "bottle" as an object itself. While 瓶 functions purely as a classifier in numerical or demonstrative phrases, 瓶子 refers to the physical container. For instance, you would say 这个瓶子很漂亮 (zhège píngzi hěn piàoliang), meaning "This bottle is very pretty," if referring to an empty bottle.
However, when counting the contents of a bottle or the bottles themselves in a quantity, 瓶 is always used. Misusing 瓶子 as a measure word (一瓶子水, yī píngzi shuǐ) is a common grammatical error, conveying "one bottle-object water" instead of the correct "one bottle of water."
The linguistic principle here is that the measure word integrates with the numeral to form a quantifier phrase. This phrase then directly modifies the noun, much like an adjective. This structure emphasizes the specific unit of measure being applied within the Chinese language system.

Formation Pattern

1
The structure for using 瓶 is highly consistent and follows a clear pattern. Once you internalize this structure, you can apply it to quantify a wide array of nouns that come in bottles.
2
There are three primary patterns for using 瓶:
3
1. Basic Quantification: Number + Measure Word + Noun
4
This is the most common and fundamental pattern, used when directly stating a quantity of bottled items.
5
| Element | Chinese Character(s) | Pinyin | English Meaning |
6
|:---------------|:---------------------|:-----------|:----------------|
7
| Number | 一, 两, 三... | yī, liǎng, sān... | One, two, three... |
8
| Measure Word | 瓶 | píng | bottle |
9
| Noun | 水, 啤酒, 牛奶... | shuǐ, píjiǔ, niúnǎi... | water, beer, milk |
10
Example 1: 一瓶水 (yī píng shuǐ) – A bottle of water
11
Example 2: 两瓶啤酒 (liǎng píng píjiǔ) – Two bottles of beer
12
Example 3: 三瓶可乐 (sān píng kělè) – Three bottles of Coke
13
Important Note on Numbers: When counting "two" of something using a measure word, you must use 两 (liǎng), not 二 (èr). 二 is typically used for cardinal numbers (e.g., 一二三, yī èr sān – one, two, three) or in phone numbers, but 两 is reserved for quantities with measure words.
14
2. Demonstrative Reference: Demonstrative + Measure Word + Noun
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This pattern is used to refer to specific bottled items, similar to "this bottle of..." or "that bottle of...".
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| Element | Chinese Character(s) | Pinyin | English Meaning |
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|:------------------|:---------------------|:------------|:----------------|
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| Demonstrative | 这, 那 | zhè, nà | this, that |
19
| Measure Word | 瓶 | píng | bottle |
20
| Noun | 咖啡, 酱油... | kāfēi, jiàngyóu... | coffee, soy sauce |
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Example 1: 这瓶咖啡 (zhè píng kāfēi) – This bottle of coffee
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Example 2: 那瓶酱油 (nà píng jiàngyóu) – That bottle of soy sauce
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3. Interrogative Questions: 几 / 多少 + Measure Word + Noun?
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To ask "how many bottles of...?", you use 几 (jǐ) or 多少 (duōshǎo).
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| Element | Chinese Character(s) | Pinyin | English Meaning |
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|:------------------|:---------------------|:------------|:----------------|
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| Interrogative | 几, 多少 | jǐ, duōshǎo | how many, how much |
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| Measure Word | 瓶 | píng | bottle |
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| Noun | 红酒, 汽水... | hóngjiǔ, qìshuǐ... | red wine, soda |
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Example 1: 你要几瓶红酒？ (nǐ yào jǐ píng hóngjiǔ?) – How many bottles of red wine do you want?
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Example 2: 这里有多少瓶汽水？ (zhèlǐ yǒu duōshǎo píng qìshuǐ?) – How many bottles of soda are here?
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Distinction between 几 and 多少:
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几 (jǐ) is used when you expect a small number (typically less than 10). It's more casual and implies a question about specific items. 几瓶 (jǐ píng) directly asks for a specific count of bottles.
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多少 (duōshǎo) is used when you expect a larger or indefinite number, or when you are asking generally "how much" or "how many." 多少瓶 (duōshǎo píng) is also grammatically correct for asking about quantity of bottles, especially in more formal contexts or when the expected quantity might be large.
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Omitting the Noun:
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If the context is absolutely clear, the noun can sometimes be omitted after the measure word. This is common in conversational settings.
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Context: You are holding a bottle of juice. Question: 你喝了几瓶？ (nǐ hēle jǐ píng?) – How many bottles did you drink? (Implied: 你喝了几瓶果汁？)
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Context: At a shop, pointing to bottled water. Question: 一瓶多少钱？ (yī píng duōshǎo qián?) – How much for one bottle?
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This flexibility in omission highlights how integrated the measure word becomes with the numeral in forming a complete quantifying unit.

When To Use It

Use the measure word 瓶 (píng) whenever you are referring to or counting items that are contained within a bottle. This includes liquids, powders, pills, or any other substance that is commonly stored and sold in a bottle. The key determinant is the container itself, not solely the contents.
Primary Use Cases:
  • Beverages: This is the most frequent application. Any drink typically found in a bottle, whether glass or plastic, uses 瓶. This applies to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
  • 一瓶矿泉水 (yī píng kuàngquánshuǐ) – a bottle of mineral water
  • 两瓶啤酒 (liǎng píng píjiǔ) – two bottles of beer
  • 那瓶牛奶 (nà píng niúnǎi) – that bottle of milk
  • Condiments and Cooking Liquids: Many kitchen staples are bottled.
  • 这瓶酱油 (zhè píng jiàngyóu) – this bottle of soy sauce
  • 买一瓶醋 (mǎi yī píng cù) – buy a bottle of vinegar
  • Health and Beauty Products: Items like shampoo, conditioner, lotions, and medicine often come in bottles.
  • 一瓶洗发水 (yī píng xǐfàshuǐ) – a bottle of shampoo
  • 三瓶维生素片 (sān píng wéishēngsù piàn) – three bottles of vitamin pills
  • 香水在那个瓶子里。 (xiāngshuǐ zài nàge píngzi lǐ.) - The perfume is in that bottle. (Note: using 瓶子 here as the noun for the bottle itself, and not as a measure word.)
  • Chemicals and Industrial Liquids: Even less common items, if bottled, take 瓶.
  • 一瓶胶水 (yī píng jiāoshuǐ) – a bottle of glue
  • 氧气瓶 (yǎngqìpíng) – an oxygen tank/bottle (here 瓶 acts as a suffix indicating the container)
Contextual Usage and Cultural Insights:
In Chinese society, the use of 瓶 is pervasive. When dining out, particularly at informal restaurants or while ordering takeout, specifying the container is standard. For instance, asking for 一瓶可乐 (a bottle of Coke) is much more natural than 一杯可乐 (a glass of Coke) unless you are explicitly referring to a serving from a fountain or pitcher.
Similarly, in supermarkets, items are almost always quantified by their packaging, making 瓶 indispensable for products like cooking oil or bottled juices.
Social media captions, shopping lists, and casual conversations frequently feature 瓶. For example, a traveler might post, 我买了一瓶当地的红酒。 (wǒ mǎile yī píng dāngdì de hóngjiǔ.) – "I bought a bottle of local red wine." This reflects the natural integration of measure words into everyday communication, extending beyond purely transactional contexts.

Common Mistakes

Beginners frequently make specific errors when using 瓶. Understanding these pitfalls and their underlying reasons is crucial for achieving natural and accurate Chinese communication.
1. Using 个 (gè) Instead of 瓶:
个 is the most common and versatile measure word, often referred to as the "general measure word." While it can be used for many nouns, it is incorrect to use it for items that have a specific measure word like 瓶. Using 一个水 (yī ge shuǐ) instead of 一瓶水 (yī píng shuǐ) sounds unnatural and grammatically awkward to native speakers. It strips the noun of its specific categorization, making the phrase vague and less precise.
  • Incorrect: 请给我一个可乐。 (qǐng gěi wǒ yī ge kělè.) – Please give me a Coke (using general measure word).
  • Correct: 请给我一瓶可乐。 (qǐng gěi wǒ yī píng kělè.) – Please give me a bottle of Coke.
2. Confusing 二 (èr) and 两 (liǎng) for "Two":
This is a very common and distinctive error for non-native speakers at the elementary level. For numbers modifying measure words, 两 (liǎng) is almost always used for "two." 二 (èr) is primarily used in counting (e.g., 一二三, yī èr sān), in sequence (e.g., 第二, dì èr – the second), or in larger numbers (e.g., 二十, èr shí – twenty). When specifying a quantity with 瓶:
  • Incorrect: 我要二瓶牛奶。 (wǒ yào èr píng niúnǎi.) – I want two bottles of milk.
  • Correct: 我要两瓶牛奶。 (wǒ yào liǎng píng niúnǎi.) – I want two bottles of milk.
Mastering the 两 vs. 二 distinction is a strong indicator of progress in Chinese proficiency.
3. Confusing 瓶 (measure word) with 瓶子 (noun):
As previously discussed, 瓶 is the measure word, while 瓶子 (píngzi) is the noun meaning "bottle." You use 瓶 when counting, and 瓶子 when referring to the physical object itself.
  • Incorrect: 买一瓶子红酒。 (mǎi yī píngzi hóngjiǔ.) – Buy one bottle-object red wine.
  • Correct: 买一瓶红酒。 (mǎi yī píng hóngjiǔ.) – Buy a bottle of red wine.
  • Correct (referring to the object): 这个瓶子是空的。 (zhège píngzi shì kōngde.) – This bottle is empty.
4. Using 瓶 for Non-Bottled Items:
瓶 is specific to bottles. Do not use it for items in cups, cans, jars, or bowls. Each of these containers has its own specific measure word.
  • Incorrect (for a can): 我喝了一瓶汽水。 (wǒ hēle yī píng qìshuǐ.) – I drank a bottle of soda. (If it was in a can)
  • Correct (for a can): 我喝了一罐汽水。 (wǒ hēle yī guàn qìshuǐ.) – I drank a can of soda. (罐, guàn is the measure word for cans/jars).
  • Incorrect (for a cup): 请给我一瓶茶。 (qǐng gěi wǒ yī píng chá.) – Please give me a bottle of tea. (If you mean a cup of tea)
  • Correct (for a cup): 请给我一杯茶。 (qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi chá.) – Please give me a cup of tea. (杯, bēi is the measure word for cups/glasses).
Being precise with measure words is crucial for clear communication and avoiding misunderstandings in a culture that places importance on specific categorization.

Real Conversations

Understanding how 瓶 is used in everyday, natural conversations provides practical context for its application. These examples reflect typical interactions you might encounter.

1. Ordering Beverages at a Restaurant/Cafe:

- Customer: 服务员，请给我一瓶水，谢谢。 (fúwùyuán, qǐng gěi wǒ yī píng shuǐ, xièxie.)

- Translation: "Waiter, please give me a bottle of water, thank you."

- Friend A: 我们要两瓶啤酒。 (wǒmen yào liǎng píng píjiǔ.)

- Translation: "We want two bottles of beer."

2. Shopping for Groceries:

- You (to a salesperson): 这瓶醋多少钱？ (zhè píng cù duōshǎo qián?)

- Translation: "How much is this bottle of vinegar?"

- Roommate: 家里没牛奶了，记得买一瓶。 (jiālǐ méi niúnǎi le, jìde mǎi yī píng.)

- Translation: "We're out of milk at home, remember to buy a bottle."

3. Discussing Items with Clear Context:

- Colleague (handing you a small bottle): 这瓶药一天吃两次。 (zhè píng yào yī tiān chī liǎng cì.)

- Translation: "Take this bottle of medicine twice a day." (Context implies 药 (yào) refers to the pills inside the bottle).

- Child (asking parent): 妈妈，我可以再喝一瓶果汁吗？ (māma, wǒ kěyǐ zài hē yī píng guǒzhī ma?)

- Translation: "Mom, can I drink another bottle of juice?"

4. Casual Chat/Texting (often with implied nouns):

- Friend 1: 你今天喝了几瓶？ (nǐ jīntiān hēle jǐ píng?)

- Translation: "How many bottles did you drink today?" (Contextually, perhaps talking about water or soft drinks after exercise.)

- Friend 2: 我买了那瓶。 (wǒ mǎile nà píng.)

- Translation: "I bought that bottle." (Referring to a specific, previously mentioned bottled item.)

These examples illustrate that 瓶 is not confined to formal or instructional language but is a fundamental part of daily, spontaneous communication in Chinese, emphasizing the importance of using the correct classifier for bottled goods.

Quick FAQ

This section addresses common questions learners have regarding the usage of 瓶.
Q: Can I use 瓶 without a noun?

Yes, absolutely. If the context is clear and both speakers understand what bottled item is being discussed, the noun can be omitted. For instance, if you are holding a bottle of Coke, you might ask 这瓶多少钱？ (zhè píng duōshǎo qián?) – "How much is this bottle?" It is perfectly natural and common in such situations.

Q: Is it 一瓶 or 一个瓶?

It is always 一瓶 (yī píng). You should never use the general measure word 个 (gè) before 瓶 because 瓶 is itself a specific measure word. Adding 个 would be grammatically redundant and incorrect. This applies to all specific measure words.

Q: Does 瓶 change for different sizes (e.g., a small bottle vs. a large bottle)?

No, the measure word 瓶 itself does not change based on size. You use adjectives to specify the size. For example, 一小瓶水 (yī xiǎo píng shuǐ) means "a small bottle of water," and 一大瓶可乐 (yī dà píng kělè) means "a large bottle of Coke." The adjectives 大 (dà, big) or 小 (xiǎo, small) are placed before the measure word and noun construction.

Q: Can 瓶 be used for medicine or other non-drink items?

Yes, if the medicine or other item is contained within a bottle, 瓶 is the correct measure word. This includes bottles of pills, liquid medicines, or even industrial liquids like glue or ink, provided they are in a bottle. For example, 这瓶药 (zhè píng yào) refers to "this bottle of medicine."

Q: What about large containers like oxygen tanks? Do they use 瓶?

For large, tank-like containers such as oxygen tanks, 瓶 can also be used, often as a suffix, as in 氧气瓶 (yǎngqìpíng). While these might not be what you typically imagine as a "bottle," the concept of a contained, usually cylindrical vessel leads to the application of 瓶.

Q: If I accidentally say 二瓶 instead of 两瓶, will people understand me?

Yes, native speakers will generally understand what you mean, but they will immediately recognize that you are a learner. It's one of the most common and noticeable grammatical markers for non-native speakers. While communication might not break down, correcting this habit to use 两瓶 will significantly improve your fluency and make your Chinese sound more natural.

Q: Is 瓶 used in both formal and informal Chinese?

Yes, 瓶 is a standard and universally accepted measure word. Its usage is appropriate across all levels of formality, from casual conversations with friends to formal business meetings or academic contexts. You can confidently use 瓶 in any situation where you need to quantify bottled items.

Counting with 瓶

Number Measure Noun Full Phrase
一
瓶
水
一瓶水
两
瓶
啤酒
两瓶啤酒
三
瓶
果汁
三瓶果汁
四
瓶
可乐
四瓶可乐
五
瓶
牛奶
五瓶牛奶
几
瓶
酒
几瓶酒

Meanings

The measure word {瓶|píng} is used to quantify items stored in bottles. It acts as the bridge between a number and the noun.

1

Container measure

Used for liquids or items sold in bottles.

“{一瓶水|yī píng shuǐ}”

“{三瓶红酒|sān píng hóngjiǔ}”

Reference Table

Reference table for Counting Bottles: How to use 瓶 (píng)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Number + 瓶 + Noun
两瓶水
Negative
没有 + Number + 瓶 + Noun
没有两瓶水
Question
几 + 瓶 + Noun
几瓶水？
Demonstrative
这/那 + 瓶 + Noun
这瓶水

Formality Spectrum

Formal
请给我两瓶啤酒。

请给我两瓶啤酒。 (Ordering at a restaurant)

Neutral
我要两瓶啤酒。

我要两瓶啤酒。 (Ordering at a restaurant)

Informal
来两瓶啤酒！

来两瓶啤酒！ (Ordering at a restaurant)

Slang
整两瓶！

整两瓶！ (Ordering at a restaurant)

Measure Word Logic

瓶

Liquids

  • 水 water
  • 酒 alcohol
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Examples by Level

1

我买一瓶水。

I buy one bottle of water.

1

你要几瓶啤酒？

How many bottles of beer do you want?

1

冰箱里有两瓶牛奶。

There are two bottles of milk in the fridge.

1

这瓶红酒非常贵。

This bottle of red wine is very expensive.

1

他一口气喝了三瓶矿泉水。

He drank three bottles of mineral water in one breath.

1

请给我拿两瓶装的洗发水。

Please get me the two-bottle pack of shampoo.

Easily Confused

Counting Bottles: How to use 瓶 (píng) vs 瓶 vs 杯

Both are containers.

Common Mistakes

✗

三水

✓

三瓶水

Missing the measure word.
✗

二瓶

✓

两瓶

Using 'er' instead of 'liang' for two.
✗

一瓶的酒

✓

一瓶酒

Adding 'de' unnecessarily.
✗

瓶水

✓

一瓶水

Missing the number.
✗

几瓶的酒

✓

几瓶酒

Adding 'de' is incorrect.
✗

两瓶子水

✓

两瓶水

Using the noun 'bottle' instead of the measure word.
✗

三瓶的啤酒

✓

三瓶啤酒

Measure words don't take 'de'.
✗

这瓶子酒

✓

这瓶酒

Incorrect classifier usage.
✗

三瓶装水

✓

三瓶水

Adding 'zhuang' (packed) when not needed.
✗

那瓶的果汁

✓

那瓶果汁

Again, no 'de' needed.
✗

三瓶水儿

✓

三瓶水

Adding er-hua where it doesn't belong.
✗

一瓶装的红酒

✓

一瓶红酒

Unnecessary complexity.
✗

两瓶红酒的

✓

两瓶红酒

Incorrect sentence ending.
✗

几瓶的

✓

几瓶

Incomplete phrase.

Sentence Patterns

我喝了___瓶___。

Real World Usage

Ordering at a bar very common

来两瓶啤酒。

Supermarket shopping very common

我要买三瓶水。

Fridge inventory common

冰箱里有两瓶牛奶。

Restaurant menu common

一瓶可乐多少钱？

Texting a friend common

买两瓶水过来。

Job interview occasional

请喝一瓶水。

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💡

Use 两

Always use {两|liǎng} for two bottles, never {二|èr}.
⚠️

No 'de'

Do not put {的|de} between the measure word and the noun.
🎯

Context matters

If it is not in a bottle, don't use {瓶|píng}.
💬

Ordering

In China, beer is often served in large bottles.

Smart Tips

Use the structure [Number] + [瓶] + [Noun].

我要水。 → 我要一瓶水。

Pronunciation

píng

Tone of 瓶

It is a second tone (rising).

Question

几瓶水？↑

Rising intonation for questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'píng' sound like a bottle 'pinging' when you tap it.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant glass bottle shaped like the character 瓶.

Rhyme

One bottle, two bottle, {一瓶|yī píng}, {两瓶|liǎng píng}, counting drinks is easy, you're winning!

Story

Xiao Ming went to the store. He wanted water. He saw a bottle. He said '一瓶水'. Now he is happy.

Word Web

水啤酒牛奶果汁红酒可乐

Challenge

Go to your kitchen, find 3 bottled items, and say their names in Chinese using {瓶|píng}.

Cultural Notes

In restaurants, it is common to order beer by the bottle.

The character 瓶 depicts a vessel.

Conversation Starters

“

你喝几瓶水？

Journal Prompts

List what is in your fridge.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

我喝了三___水。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 瓶
瓶 is the correct measure word for bottled water.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 两瓶水
Use 两 for two.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

三瓶的啤酒

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 三瓶啤酒
No 'de' needed.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我喝两瓶水
Subject-Verb-Object order.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

Five bottles of juice.

Answer starts with: 五瓶果...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 五瓶果汁
Correct structure.
Match the item to its measure word. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 瓶
Water is usually bottled.
Fill in the blank.

你要___瓶啤酒？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 几
Use 几 for quantity questions.
Choose the correct number. Multiple Choice

How to say 2 bottles?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 两瓶
Use 两 for counting.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

我喝了三___水。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 瓶
瓶 is the correct measure word for bottled water.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 两瓶水
Use 两 for two.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

三瓶的啤酒

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 三瓶啤酒
No 'de' needed.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

瓶 / 两 / 水 / 我 / 喝

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我喝两瓶水
Subject-Verb-Object order.
Translate to Chinese. Translation

Five bottles of juice.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 五瓶果汁
Correct structure.
Match the item to its measure word. Match Pairs

Match: Water

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 瓶
Water is usually bottled.
Fill in the blank.

你要___瓶啤酒？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 几
Use 几 for quantity questions.
Choose the correct number. Multiple Choice

How to say 2 bottles?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 两瓶
Use 两 for counting.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

三 / 喝了 / 他 / 瓶 / 可乐

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他喝了三瓶可乐
Translate the sentence into Chinese. Translation

Two bottles of milk.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 两瓶牛奶
Match the English with the Chinese. Match Pairs

Match the items:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A bottle of water:一瓶水
How many bottles do you want? Fill in the Blank

你要___瓶？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 几
Select the natural sentence. Multiple Choice

At a restaurant:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 给我一瓶可乐。
Fix the measure word. Error Correction

这瓶子红酒很贵。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这瓶红酒很贵。
Translate to Chinese: Translation

That bottle of juice.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 那瓶果汁
Use the word for 'two'. Fill in the Blank

桌上有___瓶水。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 两
Which one is for a bottle? Multiple Choice

Look at the character:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 瓶
Form a question. Sentence Reorder

多少钱 / 一瓶 / 水 / ？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 一瓶水多少钱？

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, only for bottled items.

In Chinese, we use 两 for counting items.

It can be, but here it is a measure word.

No, never use 'de' with measure words.

Use 杯 instead.

It is neutral and used everywhere.

Only if it is in a bottle, like sauce.

Say 一瓶.

Scaffolded Practice

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4

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

botella de

No 'de' in Chinese.

French high

bouteille de

Chinese lacks the preposition.

German moderate

Flasche

Chinese requires the measure word.

Japanese partial

本 (hon)

Japanese uses different classifiers for different shapes.

Arabic moderate

زجاجة

Grammatical structure differs.

Chinese high

瓶

None.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Counting Cups and Bottles (杯 & 瓶)
Next
Measure Word for Handles (把 bǎ)

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