Action Measure Words: 遍, 次, 场, 回, 下
动量词：遍、次、场、回、下
Count actions and events using the correct action measure word for each context
Place the number and action measure word after the verb to count how many times an action occurs. Each measure word carries a specific nuance about the nature of the action.
Unlike English where "times" covers most situations, Chinese uses different measure words depending on whether the action is a complete pass-through (遍), a generic occurrence (次), an event or session (场), a colloquial occurrence (回), or a brief attempt (下).
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Action Measure Words: 遍, 次, 场, 回, 下 (动量词：遍、次、场、回、下)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 动量词：遍、次、场、回、下 pattern
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Understanding 动量词：遍、次、场、回、下
In HSK 1 you learned 次 as a general counter for actions. Now you are expanding your toolkit with four more action measure words, each with its own personality. 遍 means you went through something from start to finish — when you read a book cover to cover, that is 看一遍. 次 is the all-purpose counter — it simply means "one time" with no extra nuance. 场 is for events, performances, or experiences that have a clear beginning and end — a movie, a rainstorm, a good cry. 回 is the colloquial twin of 次 — you will hear it constantly in northern Chinese speech, and it feels warmer and more conversational. 下 is for quick, brief actions — a knock, a tap, a glance.
Key Points
- 遍 (biàn) = times through — emphasizes completeness from beginning to end. 看两遍 = read through twice.
- 次 (cì) = times — the most generic and versatile action measure word. 去一次 = go once.
- 场 (chǎng) = session / bout — for events, performances, weather, or emotional episodes. 一场雨 = a bout of rain.
- 回 (huí) = times — colloquial synonym of 次, very common in spoken Chinese. 来两回 = come twice.
- 下 (xià) = brief action — suggests a quick or casual attempt. 打一下儿 = give a quick hit / try it once.
- 下 often pairs with 一 to soften a request: 看一下 = take a quick look (less demanding than 看看).
- Word order matters: the measure word phrase goes AFTER the verb, not before it.
- When there is an object, the measure word phrase usually comes between the verb and the object: 看了两遍书.
Using the precise action measure word makes you sound educated and natural. Saying 我把课文读了三遍 (I read through the text three times) shows effort and dedication — Chinese teachers love hearing this from students.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这本书我看了两遍。
I read this book twice (all the way through).
Complete reading from start to finish
我去过北京一次。
I have been to Beijing once.
昨天下了一场大雨。
There was a heavy rain yesterday.
A complete weather event
他来过两回了。
He has come twice already.
Colloquial — same as 两次
请你等一下儿。
Please wait a moment.
Brief, softened request
她大哭了一场。
She had a good hard cry.
An emotional episode
请再说一遍。
Please say it again (from beginning to end).
我敲了三下门。
I knocked on the door three times.
Quick, repeated brief actions
Common Mistakes
If you read the entire book from cover to cover, use 遍 to emphasize completeness. 次 would just mean you read it "twice" without specifying whether you finished it.
Rainstorms are events with a duration — use 场 for weather events, not 次.
When asking someone to repeat something fully, use 遍. 一下 would mean "say it briefly" which does not make sense for a full repetition.
Coming to a place is not a "complete pass-through" — use 次 or the colloquial 回, not 遍.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 遍 as a "play-through" — you experienced something from beginning to end, like pressing play on a song.
次 is your safe default — when you are unsure which measure word to use, 次 is almost always acceptable.
下 is a great softener: 试一下 (try it once) sounds gentler than 试试 or 试一次.
In northern China, 回 replaces 次 in everyday speech. If you hear 这回 it means "this time."
场 works for anything with a storyline: movies (一场电影), dreams (一场梦), illnesses (一场病).
Homework
Describe your week using all five action measure words. Example: 我看了两遍课文, 去了一次超市, 看了一场电影, 去了三回咖啡店, 敲了两下老师的门. Write at least ten sentences.