12 Classifiers Commonly Used in Chinese

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to tell me).

1.

把(bǎ) is used to count objects that can be held or grasped in one hand, especially those with handles, or items that are bundled together.

It's similar to using "a bunch of" or "a handle of" in English, but it has a broader application in Chinese for items that you can physically hold.

For example: 一把刀 - a knife 一把枪 - a gun 一把伞 - an umbrella 一把椅子 - a chair 2.

杯 (bēi) is used to count containers, typically those used for holding liquids that can be drunk.

It's similar to using "a cup of" or "a glass of" in English.

However, it can also be used for other items that are shaped like a cup or bowl, and sometimes for loose solids that can be measured in such containers.

For example: 一杯水 - a cup of water 一杯茶 - a cup of tea 一杯咖啡 - a cup of coffee 一杯酒 - a glass of wine/alcohol 3.

场(chǎng) is used to count occurrences or sessions of events, activities, performances, and similar time-bound occurrences.

It's similar to using "a session of," "an episode of," "a round of," or "an event of" in English.

"场" emphasizes the idea of a distinct, bounded event with a clear beginning and end.

For example: 一场表演 - a performance 一场电影 - a movie 一场雨 - a rain 一场战争 - a war 4.

次（cì）is used to count the number of times an action or event occurs.

It's similar to using "times" in English.

"次" emphasizes the frequency or repetition of an action, and it can be used for a wide range of activities, from daily routines to specific events.

For example: 一次旅行 - a trip 一次实验 - an experiment 5.

个（gè）is one of the most commonly used classifiers in Chinese.

It can be applied to a wide range of nouns when no more specific or appropriate classifier is available.

Think of it as the "default" measure word that you can use for many different types of objects, especially when you're unsure which classifier to use.

However, it's important to note that while "个" is very flexible, many nouns have their specific measure words, which are preferred over "个" in everyday speech.——That's why I put it the fifth one.

If you only use "个" as the classifier in your Chinese expressions, you might never master this language.

For example: 一个词语 - a word 一个村子 - a village 一个答案 - an answer 一个段落 - a paragraph 一个公园 - a park 一个故事 - a story 一个会议 - a meeting 一个计划 - a plan 一个建议 - a suggestion 一个梦想 - a dream 一个苹果 - an apple 一个问题 - a question 一个项目 - a project 一个展览 - an exhibition 一个主意 - an idea 一个字 - a character 6.条（tiáo）is used for long, thin objects or entities that have a linear or elongated shape.

It can also be applied to some abstract concepts or items that are bundled together.

Think of it as a way to count things that you might describe as "long" or "linear" in English.

For example: 一条狗 - a dog 一条河 - a river 一条街 - a street 一条裤子 - a pair of pants 一条路 - a road 一条消息 - a message 一条鱼 - a fish 7.

张（zhāng) is used for flat, thin objects that have a certain surface area.

These objects are typically sheet-like and can be spread out or laid flat.

For example: 一张票 - a ticket 一张网 - a net 一张椅子 - a chair 一张照片 - a photo 一张纸 - a sheet of paper 一张桌子 - a table 8.

只（zhī）is used for counting animals, certain tools or utensils, and body parts.

Think of it as a way to count things that are typically smaller creatures or individual units of something.

For example: 一只猫 - a cat 一只鸟 - a bird 一只羊 - a sheep 一只眼睛 - an eye 9.台（tái）is used to count large machines, vehicles, heavy equipment, and major appliances.

It is typically applied to objects that are substantial in size or significance, often those that are stationary or have a fixed installation.

Think of it as a way to count bulky or important devices that you wouldn't easily move around.

For example: 一台冰箱 - a refrigerator 一台电脑 - a computer 一台电视 - a TV 一台空调 - an air conditioner 一台洗衣机 - a washing machine 10.

家（jiā）is used to count collective entities such as families, shops, companies, or other organizations.

It's a classifier that emphasizes the idea of a household or an establishment.

For example: 一家餐厅 - a restaurant 一家公司 - a company 一家商店 - a store 11.

座（zuò）is used to count large structures, such as buildings, mountains, bridges, and other significant constructions or natural landmarks.

It emphasizes the idea of something substantial and stationary.

Think of it as a way to count objects that are large, fixed, and often serve important functions or have a notable presence.

For example: 一座城市 - a city 一座桥 - a bridge 一座山 - a mountain 四座雕像 - four statues 12.

份（fèn）is used for counting items that can be divided or allocated, such as food portions, work assignments, documents, and other divisible entities.

It emphasizes the idea of a share, portion, or a complete set of something.

For example: 一份报告 - a report 一份报纸 - a newspaper 一份礼物 - a gift 两份合同 - two contracts That's all for today.

If you have new ideas, please tell me in your feedback.

I believe we can work together to have a longer list.

It's similar to using "a session of," "an episode of," "a round of," or "an event of" in English.

"场" emphasizes the idea of a distinct, bounded event with a clear beginning and end.

次（cì）is used to count the number of times an action or event occurs.

It's similar to using "times" in English.

"次" emphasizes the frequency or repetition of an action, and it can be used for a wide range of activities, from daily routines to specific events.

个（gè）is one of the most commonly used classifiers in Chinese.

It can be applied to a wide range of nouns when no more specific or appropriate classifier is available.

Think of it as the "default" measure word that you can use for many different types of objects, especially when you're unsure which classifier to use.

张（zhāng) is used for flat, thin objects that have a certain surface area.

These objects are typically sheet-like and can be spread out or laid flat.

只（zhī）is used for counting animals, certain tools or utensils, and body parts.

Think of it as a way to count things that are typically smaller creatures or individual units of something.

It is typically applied to objects that are substantial in size or significance, often those that are stationary or have a fixed installation.

家（jiā）is used to count collective entities such as families, shops, companies, or other organizations.

It's a classifier that emphasizes the idea of a household or an establishment.

座（zuò）is used to count large structures, such as buildings, mountains, bridges, and other significant constructions or natural landmarks.

It emphasizes the idea of something substantial and stationary.

Think of it as a way to count objects that are large, fixed, and often serve important functions or have a notable presence.

份（fèn）is used for counting items that can be divided or allocated, such as food portions, work assignments, documents, and other divisible entities.

It emphasizes the idea of a share, portion, or a complete set of something.

If you have new ideas, please tell me in your feedback.

把(bǎ) is used to count objects that can be held or grasped in one hand, especially those with handles, or items that are bundled together.

For example: 一把刀 - a knife 一把枪 - a gun 一把伞 - an umbrella 一把椅子 - a chair 2.

杯 (bēi) is used to count containers, typically those used for holding liquids that can be drunk.

It's similar to using "a cup of" or "a glass of" in English.

However, it can also be used for other items that are shaped like a cup or bowl, and sometimes for loose solids that can be measured in such containers.

For example: 一杯水 - a cup of water 一杯茶 - a cup of tea 一杯咖啡 - a cup of coffee 一杯酒 - a glass of wine/alcohol 3.

场(chǎng) is used to count occurrences or sessions of events, activities, performances, and similar time-bound occurrences.

It's similar to using "a session of," "an episode of," "a round of," or "an event of" in English.

"场" emphasizes the idea of a distinct, bounded event with a clear beginning and end.

For example: 一场表演 - a performance 一场电影 - a movie 一场雨 - a rain 一场战争 - a war 4.

次（cì）is used to count the number of times an action or event occurs.

It's similar to using "times" in English.

"次" emphasizes the frequency or repetition of an action, and it can be used for a wide range of activities, from daily routines to specific events.

For example: 一次旅行 - a trip 一次实验 - an experiment 5.

个（gè）is one of the most commonly used classifiers in Chinese.

It can be applied to a wide range of nouns when no more specific or appropriate classifier is available.

Think of it as the "default" measure word that you can use for many different types of objects, especially when you're unsure which classifier to use.

If you only use "个" as the classifier in your Chinese expressions, you might never master this language.

For example: 一个词语 - a word 一个村子 - a village 一个答案 - an answer 一个段落 - a paragraph 一个公园 - a park 一个故事 - a story 一个会议 - a meeting 一个计划 - a plan 一个建议 - a suggestion 一个梦想 - a dream 一个苹果 - an apple 一个问题 - a question 一个项目 - a project 一个展览 - an exhibition 一个主意 - an idea 一个字 - a character 6.条（tiáo）is used for long, thin objects or entities that have a linear or elongated shape.

It can also be applied to some abstract concepts or items that are bundled together.

Think of it as a way to count things that you might describe as "long" or "linear" in English.

For example: 一条狗 - a dog 一条河 - a river 一条街 - a street 一条裤子 - a pair of pants 一条路 - a road 一条消息 - a message 一条鱼 - a fish 7.

张（zhāng) is used for flat, thin objects that have a certain surface area.

These objects are typically sheet-like and can be spread out or laid flat.

For example: 一张票 - a ticket 一张网 - a net 一张椅子 - a chair 一张照片 - a photo 一张纸 - a sheet of paper 一张桌子 - a table 8.

只（zhī）is used for counting animals, certain tools or utensils, and body parts.

Think of it as a way to count things that are typically smaller creatures or individual units of something.

For example: 一只猫 - a cat 一只鸟 - a bird 一只羊 - a sheep 一只眼睛 - an eye 9.台（tái）is used to count large machines, vehicles, heavy equipment, and major appliances.

Think of it as a way to count bulky or important devices that you wouldn't easily move around.

For example: 一台冰箱 - a refrigerator 一台电脑 - a computer 一台电视 - a TV 一台空调 - an air conditioner 一台洗衣机 - a washing machine 10.

家（jiā）is used to count collective entities such as families, shops, companies, or other organizations.

It's a classifier that emphasizes the idea of a household or an establishment.

For example: 一家餐厅 - a restaurant 一家公司 - a company 一家商店 - a store 11.

座（zuò）is used to count large structures, such as buildings, mountains, bridges, and other significant constructions or natural landmarks.

It emphasizes the idea of something substantial and stationary.

Think of it as a way to count objects that are large, fixed, and often serve important functions or have a notable presence.

For example: 一座城市 - a city 一座桥 - a bridge 一座山 - a mountain 四座雕像 - four statues 12.

份（fèn）is used for counting items that can be divided or allocated, such as food portions, work assignments, documents, and other divisible entities.

It emphasizes the idea of a share, portion, or a complete set of something.

For example: 一份报告 - a report 一份报纸 - a newspaper 一份礼物 - a gift 两份合同 - two contracts That's all for today.