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HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 8 min read

Measure Words 张, 把, 双, 辆, 种 and More

Pick the right measure word for flat things, pairs, vehicles, lessons, sentences, prices, weights and quarter hours.

Pattern

number / 这 / 那 + measure word + noun (一张票, 一把伞, 一双鞋, 一辆车)

The measure word describes the thing: flat 张, handle 把, pair 双, vehicle 辆, kind 种.

这双鞋有点儿小。

When to use Measure Words 张, 把, 双, 辆, 种 and More

Between a number (or 这, 那, 几) and a noun, Chinese needs a measure word, and many measure words describe the thing’s shape or use. 张 is for flat things (一张纸, 一张票, 一张桌子), 把 for things you hold by a handle (一把伞, 一把椅子), and 双 for things that come in pairs (一双鞋, 一双筷子). Using 个 for all of these sounds wrong to native speakers.

我买了两张电影票。

I bought two movie tickets.

外面下雨了，带一把伞吧。

It’s raining outside; take an umbrella.

我给奶奶写了一封信，一共三页。

I wrote Grandma a letter, three pages in all.

我家楼下有三辆自行车。

There are three bikes downstairs from my place.

Common traps

  • Say 一张桌子 but 一把椅子: tables are flat (张), chairs are picked up by the back (把). Don’t use 个 for either.
  • 斤 is not a kilogram: 两斤苹果 is one kilogram of apples. For kilograms say 公斤.
  • For 8:30 say 八点半, not 八点两刻: 刻 is used for 一刻 (15 minutes) and 三刻 (45 minutes).

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

我买了一 自行车

I bought a bicycle
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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