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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

Measure Words 枚, 则, 幢, 截 and Other Advanced Counters

Learn ten advanced noun measure words: 枚 for small objects, 则 for news and notices, 幢 for buildings, 截 for pieces, 缕 for wisps, 摊 for puddles, 码 for “matters”, 重 for layers, 宗 for deals and 丸 for small balls.

Pattern

number + 枚／则／幢／截／缕／摊／码／重／宗／丸 + noun

Each counter matches a kind of thing: 一枚奖牌, 一则新闻, 一幢楼, 一截铅笔, 一缕阳光, 一摊水, 两码事.

他在全国比赛中获得了一枚奖牌。

When to use Measure Words 枚, 则, 幢, 截 and Other Advanced Counters

These measure words go between a number (or 这/那) and a noun, like 个, but each one fits only certain things. 枚 counts small flat or round objects: 一枚奖牌, 一枚邮票, 一枚硬币. 则 counts pieces of writing: 一则新闻, 一则通知, 一则寓言. 幢 counts buildings: 一幢楼, 一幢房子. 截 counts a section cut from something long: 一截绳子, 半截铅笔. 缕 counts thin wisps of light, smoke or scent: 一缕阳光. 摊 counts a puddle or pool of something spread on the ground: 一摊水. 码 is almost only used in 一码事 / 两码事 “the same thing / two different things”. 重 (chóng) counts layers: 一重又一重山. 宗 counts deals, batches and matters: 一宗生意, 大宗货物. 丸 counts small round balls and is seen mostly on product labels.

学校网站上发布了一则通知：下周一开始放假。

The school website posted a notice: the holiday starts next Monday.

这条街上新建了好几幢高楼。

Several tall buildings have just been built on this street.

学习好和会考试是两码事。

Studying well and being good at exams are two different things.

绳子太短了，再接上一截就够了。

The rope is too short; one more piece tied on will be enough.

Common traps

  • 码 is not a general counter: use it in 一码事 and 两码事, not 一码书.
  • 重 as a measure word is read chóng (一重山), not zhòng.
  • Match the counter to the shape or type: 一则通知 and 一枚奖牌, never 一枚通知 or 一则奖牌.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

我的铅笔只剩下短短的一 了

Only a short stub of my pencil is left
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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