Measure words with "this" and "that"

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 + measure word + Noun

Examples

  • rénthat person
  • zhè běn shūthis book
  • �事 jiàn shìthat piece of matter
  • 啤酒 zhè píng píjiǔthis bottle of beer
  • �房间 fángjiānthat room
  • 旧 手机 zhè jiù shǒujīthis old cellphone
  • �台 �新 电脑 zhètái xīn diànnǎothat new computer
  • �这 小猫 zhī xiǎo māothat small cat
  • zuò shānthat mountain
  • 爱情 电影zhè àiqíng diànyǐngthis love movie


See also

Sources and further reading

Books