Comparing "bian" and "ci"
Both 遍 (biàn) and 次 (cì) mean how many “times” an action is done.
Sometimes 遍 (biàn) and 次 (cì) can be used interchangeably, each with slightly different meaning.
遍 (biàn) | 次 (cì) | |
---|---|---|
Meaning | doing an action from beginning to end | number of times an action occurs |
Part of Speech | measure word | measure word |
Formality | formal and informal | formal and informal |
The key difference between these words is 遍 means doing an action all the way from the beginning to the end, whereas 次 means the total number of times an action occurs.
Contents
Similarities
Common Phrases
These phrases work with both 遍 AND 次:
- 读过多~
- 看过多~
Example Sentences
In the following sentences, 遍 AND 次 both can be used interchangeably:
Differences
Common Phrases
These phrases work ONLY with 遍:
- 请再读一~
- 请再说一~
- 请再唱一~
These phrases work ONLY with 次:
- 去一~北京
- 去过几~?
- 看过三~长城
Example Sentences
In the following sentences, ONLY 遍 can be used:
In the following sentences, ONLY 次 can be used: