Measure Word Quiz 量词测验
Listen to a Chinese noun, then pick the correct measure word (量词) from four choices. Build the instinct that native speakers develop naturally.
How to Play
Pick the counter: a book, a sheet, a person.
Try each choice before its answer appears. The noun is 书 (shū, book), 纸 (zhǐ, paper), or 人 (rén, person). The choices are 个 (gè), 本 (běn) and 张 (zhāng).
Use 本 for books and bound volumes, 张 for flat things such as sheets of paper, and 个 as a general counter for people here. Other nouns and contexts use other counters. Review the source examples and the number + counter + noun lesson.
Transcript
- Chinese measure words, pick the counter, a book, a sheet, a person.
- First, a book, choose A, B, or C.
- B, books and bound volumes.
- 本 (běn)
- 本 (běn)
- Now a sheet of paper, which counter?
- C, flat things like paper.
- 张 (zhāng)
- 张 (zhāng)
- Last, a person, choose before the reveal.
- A, the general counter, used for people.
- 个 (gè)
- 个 (gè)
- Books, flat paper, people, match the counter to the noun.
- Start an Easy quiz round, press Play, then pick a counter for a new noun.
- Try the Measure Word Quiz, free, at The Pure Language dot com.
Match the counter to the noun: books, flat paper, people.
Your turn: leave difficulty on Easy, start a quiz round, press Play, then choose a counter for a new noun. Aim to answer before checking the feedback.
Ready to practise measure words?
Select a difficulty above, then start the quiz.
Listen to each noun and choose its correct 量词.
Common Measure Words Reference
| 量词 | Pīnyīn | Used for | Example nouns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 个 | gè | General / people / objects | 人, 苹果, 朋友, 问题 |
| 本 | běn | Bound items (books) | 书, 杂志, 笔记本 |
| 张 | zhāng | Flat objects | 纸, 照片, 票, 桌子 |
| 条 | tiáo | Long flexible things | 鱼, 河, 裤子, 路 |
| 只 | zhī | Small animals / paired body parts | 猫, 狗, 鸟, 手 |
| 件 | jiàn | Items of clothing / matters | 衣服, 毛衣, 事情 |
| 双 | shuāng | Pairs | 鞋, 筷子, 手套 |
| 辆 | liàng | Wheeled vehicles | 车, 自行车, 公共汽车 |
| 把 | bǎ | Things with handles | 刀, 伞, 椅子 |
| 棵 | kē | Trees and plants | 树, 草, 花 |
| 座 | zuò | Large fixed structures | 山, 楼, 桥, 城市 |
| 首 | shǒu | Songs and poems | 歌, 诗 |
| 块 | kuài | Chunks / pieces | 蛋糕, 石头, 肉 |
| 杯 | bēi | Cups / glasses of liquid | 茶, 咖啡, 水 |
| 匹 | pǐ | Horses / bolts of fabric | 马 |
| 头 | tóu | Large animals | 牛, 猪, 象 |
| 朵 | duǒ | Flowers and clouds | 花, 云 |
| 台 | tái | Machines and appliances | 电脑, 电视, 洗衣机 |
| 封 | fēng | Sealed letters / emails | 信, 邮件 |
| 幅 | fú | Paintings / maps | 画, 地图 |
| 顿 | dùn | Meals | 饭, 早饭 |
| 场 | chǎng | Performances / events | 电影, 比赛, 雨 |
| 次 | cì | Occurrences / times | 考试, 机会 |
| 瓶 | píng | Bottles of liquid | 水, 酒, 牛奶 |
| 碗 | wǎn | Bowls of food | 汤, 米饭, 面条 |
| 副 | fù | Sets / pairs (accessories) | 眼镜, 手套 |
| 份 | fèn | Portions / copies | 报纸, 午饭 |
| 根 | gēn | Stick-like objects | 骨头, 筷子, 蜡烛 |
| 支 | zhī | Stick-like stationery / candles | 笔, 蜡烛 |
Tips for Learning Measure Words
Think in categories
Group measure words by shape or type: flat things use 张, long flexible things use 条, things with handles use 把. Once you see the pattern, new words fit naturally.
个 is your safety net
个 (gè) is the most versatile measure word and is widely understood even when used informally for nouns that have a specific classifier. Start with 个, then learn the precise ones.
Learn nouns with their measure words
When you learn 书 (book), immediately learn it as 一本书. Storing the measure word alongside the noun builds the pairing naturally, just as native speakers do from childhood.
Watch out for tricky pairs
双 vs 副: both mean "pair" but 双 is for symmetric pairs like shoes and chopsticks, while 副 is for accessory sets like glasses.
只 vs 头: 只 for small animals, 头 for large ones (cows, elephants).