来四个包子

ordering food and buying things: “four buns, please”

What it means

To order food or buy things, say 来 or 要, then number + measure word + the thing: 来四个包子 (four buns, please).

How it is built

来／要 + number + measure word + noun: 来三个包子，一杯牛奶 (three buns and a glass of milk, please). For everyone: 我们都要… (we’ll all have …).

When to use it

来 (“come”) is the everyday word at a counter or a table; 要 (“want”) works everywhere, in shops too. No “please” is needed; a friendly 你好 first is enough.

Watch out

✗ 来二杯茶 ✓ 来两杯茶. Use 两, not 二, before a measure word.

Examples

Also in this lesson

• 一杯茶 · 一本书
• ……，还要……
• 别的