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What are the common measure words (量词 - liàngcí) used in Mandarin?

In Mandarin, measure words are super important for counting and describing things. These words are different from what we use in English, but they help us say how many of something we mean. Let's look at some common measure words and how to use them in sentences.

Common Measure Words:

  1. 个 (gè)
    This is the most used measure word. It's great for many things, especially people or objects.

    • Example: 一个苹果 (yī gè píngguǒ) - one apple
  2. 本 (běn)
    Use this one for books or similar items.

    • Example: 一本书 (yī běn shū) - one book
  3. 只 (zhī)
    This is for certain animals or things that come in pairs.

    • Example: 一只猫 (yī zhī māo) - one cat
  4. 辆 (liàng)
    This word is for vehicles like cars or bikes.

    • Example: 一辆车 (yī liàng chē) - one car
  5. 杯 (bēi)
    Use this for cups or glasses.

    • Example: 一杯水 (yī bēi shuǐ) - one cup of water

Basic Sentence Structure:

In Mandarin, sentences usually go in this order: Subject-Verb-Object. For example:

  • 我吃苹果。(Wǒ chī píngguǒ.) - I eat an apple.

Asking Questions:

To ask a yes or no question, just add 吗 (ma) at the end of a sentence:

  • 你吃苹果吗?(Nǐ chī píngguǒ ma?) - Do you eat apples?

Using Adjectives:

Adjectives (describing words) come after the verb:

  • 我觉得苹果好吃。(Wǒ juédé píngguǒ hǎochī.) - I think apples are tasty.

Saying No:

Use 不 (bù) for things you don’t do, and 没 (méi) for things that are finished:

  • 我不吃苹果。(Wǒ bù chī píngguǒ.) - I don’t eat apples.
  • 我没吃苹果。(Wǒ méi chī píngguǒ.) - I didn’t eat an apple.

Showing Possession:

To show that something belongs to someone, use 的 (de):

  • 这是我的书。(Zhè shì wǒ de shū.) - This is my book.

Using "And":

For "and," use 和 (hé):

  • 我喜欢苹果和香蕉。(Wǒ xǐhuān píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo.) - I like apples and bananas.

Talking About the Past:

To say that something happened before, use 了 (le):

  • 我吃了苹果。(Wǒ chīle píngguǒ.) - I ate an apple.

Making Polite Requests:

To ask nicely, use 请 (qǐng):

  • 请给我一个苹果。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yī gè píngguǒ.) - Please give me an apple.

By learning these words and simple structures, you can start having easy conversations in Mandarin and share your thoughts!

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What are the common measure words (量词 - liàngcí) used in Mandarin?

In Mandarin, measure words are super important for counting and describing things. These words are different from what we use in English, but they help us say how many of something we mean. Let's look at some common measure words and how to use them in sentences.

Common Measure Words:

  1. 个 (gè)
    This is the most used measure word. It's great for many things, especially people or objects.

    • Example: 一个苹果 (yī gè píngguǒ) - one apple
  2. 本 (běn)
    Use this one for books or similar items.

    • Example: 一本书 (yī běn shū) - one book
  3. 只 (zhī)
    This is for certain animals or things that come in pairs.

    • Example: 一只猫 (yī zhī māo) - one cat
  4. 辆 (liàng)
    This word is for vehicles like cars or bikes.

    • Example: 一辆车 (yī liàng chē) - one car
  5. 杯 (bēi)
    Use this for cups or glasses.

    • Example: 一杯水 (yī bēi shuǐ) - one cup of water

Basic Sentence Structure:

In Mandarin, sentences usually go in this order: Subject-Verb-Object. For example:

  • 我吃苹果。(Wǒ chī píngguǒ.) - I eat an apple.

Asking Questions:

To ask a yes or no question, just add 吗 (ma) at the end of a sentence:

  • 你吃苹果吗?(Nǐ chī píngguǒ ma?) - Do you eat apples?

Using Adjectives:

Adjectives (describing words) come after the verb:

  • 我觉得苹果好吃。(Wǒ juédé píngguǒ hǎochī.) - I think apples are tasty.

Saying No:

Use 不 (bù) for things you don’t do, and 没 (méi) for things that are finished:

  • 我不吃苹果。(Wǒ bù chī píngguǒ.) - I don’t eat apples.
  • 我没吃苹果。(Wǒ méi chī píngguǒ.) - I didn’t eat an apple.

Showing Possession:

To show that something belongs to someone, use 的 (de):

  • 这是我的书。(Zhè shì wǒ de shū.) - This is my book.

Using "And":

For "and," use 和 (hé):

  • 我喜欢苹果和香蕉。(Wǒ xǐhuān píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo.) - I like apples and bananas.

Talking About the Past:

To say that something happened before, use 了 (le):

  • 我吃了苹果。(Wǒ chīle píngguǒ.) - I ate an apple.

Making Polite Requests:

To ask nicely, use 请 (qǐng):

  • 请给我一个苹果。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yī gè píngguǒ.) - Please give me an apple.

By learning these words and simple structures, you can start having easy conversations in Mandarin and share your thoughts!

Related articles