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 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 个 (ge) for everything, but pretty soon you're going to have to start using other measure words in these simple phrases.

Revision as of 22:48, 24 November 2013


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 (MW).

这 / 那 + MW + Noun

Examples

  • 个 人 that person
  • 瓶 啤酒 this bottle of beer
  • 块 巧克力 that piece of chocolate
  • 张 桌子 this table
  • 本 书this book
  • 个 手机this cell phone
  • 只 小 狗this small dog
  • 只 小 猫that small cat
  • 杯 咖啡that cup of coffee
  • 条 鱼that fish

See also

Sources and further reading

Books