Basic Measure Words (个, 本, 杯)

In Chinese, you cannot place a number directly before a noun. You must insert a measure word (also called a classifier) between them. While English has a few measure words too — "a piece of paper," "a cup of tea" — Chinese requires one for every noun. "One person" is "一个人" (yī gè rén), not "一人."

The most important measure word for beginners is 个 (gè). It is the general-purpose classifier and works with people, abstract concepts, and many common objects. When in doubt, 个 is usually acceptable and will be understood even if a more specific measure word exists. Other essential HSK 1 measure words include 本 (běn) for books and bound volumes, 杯 (bēi) for cups and glasses of liquid, and 块 (kuài) for pieces and the informal word for yuan (money).

Measure words also appear after demonstratives (这, 那) and question words (几, 哪). "This book" is "这本书" (zhè běn shū), not "这书." "Which person?" is "哪个人?" (nǎ gè rén). Getting comfortable with measure words early will make your Chinese sound much more natural, even if you rely heavily on 个 at first.