Difference between revisions of "Measure words with "this" and "that""

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In English, when you refer to "that girl" or "this table" you only need two words: "this" or "that" plus the noun you're referring to.  In Chinese, though, you also need a [[measure word]] in the middle between the two.  In the very beginning you can get away with using [[Measure_word_%22ge%22|个 (ge)]] for everything, but pretty soon you're going to have to start using other measure words in these simple phrases.
 
In English, when you refer to "that girl" or "this table" you only need two words: "this" or "that" plus the noun you're referring to.  In Chinese, though, you also need a [[measure word]] in the middle between the two.  In the very beginning you can get away with using [[Measure_word_%22ge%22|个 (ge)]] for everything, but pretty soon you're going to have to start using other measure words in these simple phrases.
  
=== Structure ===
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== Structure ==
  
 
If you use 这 (zhè) or 那 (nà) before a noun, you need to include a [[measure word]] (Measure Word).
 
If you use 这 (zhè) or 那 (nà) before a noun, you need to include a [[measure word]] (Measure Word).
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</div>
  
=== Examples ===
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== Examples ==
  
 
Note: In this usage, the tone of 个 (gè) tends to soften, so it's represented below as a neutral tone.
 
Note: In this usage, the tone of 个 (gè) tends to soften, so it's represented below as a neutral tone.

Revision as of 09:47, 13 January 2017

In English, when you refer to "that girl" or "this table" you only need two words: "this" or "that" plus the noun you're referring to. In Chinese, though, you also need a measure word in the middle between the two. In the very beginning you can get away with using 个 (ge) for everything, but pretty soon you're going to have to start using other measure words in these simple phrases.

Structure

If you use 这 (zhè) or 那 (nà) before a noun, you need to include a measure word (Measure Word).

这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun

Examples

Note: In this usage, the tone of 个 (gè) tends to soften, so it's represented below as a neutral tone.

  • ge rénthat person
  • zhè běn shūthis book
  • jiàn shìthat matter (in the sense of business, affair, or thing)
  • 啤酒 zhè píng píjiǔthis bottle of beer
  • 房间 ge fángjiānthat room
  • 旧 手机 zhè ge jiù shǒujīthis old cell phone
  • 新 电脑 tái xīn diànnǎothat new computer
  • 小猫 zhè zhī xiǎo māothat small cat
  • tiáothat river
  • 衣服 zhè jiàn yīfu this piece of clothing


See also

Sources and further reading

Books