一杯茶 · 一本书
measure words for books, cups of something, pieces and pages
Structure
数词 + 本／杯／块／页 + 名词
What it means
A measure word goes between a number and a noun. 个 is the all-purpose one; 本, 杯, 块 and 页 fit special things.
How it is built
Number + measure word + noun: 本 for books (一本书), 杯 for a cup or glass of a drink (一杯茶), 块 for a piece (两块面包), 页 for pages (一百页).
When to use it
杯 counts the drink; the cup itself is 杯子, counted with 个: 一杯茶 is a cup of tea, 一个杯子 is a cup. 块 is also for money: 两块 = two yuan.
Watch out
✗ 两茶 ✓ 两杯茶. Never leave out the measure word after a number.
Examples
我要一杯茶。
I’d like a cup of tea.
这本书有一百页。
This book has a hundred pages.
早饭我吃了两块面包。
I had two pieces of bread for breakfast.
桌子上有三个杯子。
There are three cups on the table.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 11: 来四个包子 (Ordering food)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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