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.

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