一大碗, 一小块 for “A Big Bowl,” “A Small Piece”
Slip 大 or 小 between a number and a measure word to say “a big bowlful” or “a small piece.”
Pattern
number + 大 / 小 + measure word (+ noun)
大 or 小 between the number and the measure word describes how much there is: 一大碗面条 is “a big bowlful of noodles.”
我饿坏了，吃了一大碗面条。
When to use 一大碗, 一小块 for “A Big Bowl,” “A Small Piece”
Normally a number goes straight before a measure word: 一碗米饭. In this pattern you add 大 or 小 in between: 一大碗米饭, 一小块蛋糕. The adjective tells you the amount is big or small.
妈妈给我切了一小块蛋糕。
Mom cut me a small piece of cake.
他只喝了一小口咖啡就放下了。
He took just a small sip of coffee and put it down.
桌子上放着一大堆书。
There’s a big pile of books on the table.
公园里有一大群孩子在踢足球。
A big group of kids is playing football in the park.
Common traps
- Put the adjective between the number and the measure word: 一大碗, not 大一碗.
- Use a bare 大 or 小 here, never a phrase like 很大 or another adjective like 好: 一很大碗 and 一好碗 are wrong.
- 一大碗 is an amount of food; 一个大碗 is the bowl itself.
Targeted drill
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