Borrowed Measure Words
借用量词
Understand how nouns and verbs can be "borrowed" as measure words to create vivid, descriptive expressions
Certain nouns (碗, 脸, 手, 屋子, 桌子) and verbs (刀, 针) can be temporarily "borrowed" to serve as measure words, creating more vivid and specific expressions than standard measure words would.
Borrowed nominal measure words typically describe containers or surfaces filled with something. Borrowed verbal measure words describe the action used to measure the event. These expressions are highly idiomatic and common in daily speech.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Borrowed Measure Words (借用量词)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 借用量词 pattern
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Understanding 借用量词
In Chinese, some everyday nouns and verbs can be "borrowed" (借用) to function as measure words, creating colorful and natural expressions. Nominal borrowed measure words use a container, body part, or space as the measure: 一碗汤 (a bowl of soup) uses 碗 both as "bowl" and as a measure word. This is similar to English "a cup of tea" or "a room full of people." Verbal borrowed measure words use an action as the measure: 切两刀 (cut two times with a knife) uses 刀 (knife/cut) as a measure of cutting actions. These borrowed measure words add vividness that standard measure words cannot match — 一脸汗 (a face full of sweat) paints a much more vivid picture than simply saying 很多汗. Mastering these expressions will make your Chinese sound notably more natural and expressive.
Key Points
- Borrowed nominal measure words: nouns acting as measure words, usually containers or surfaces.
- 碗 (wǎn) → 一碗汤 (a bowl of soup), 一碗饭 (a bowl of rice).
- 脸 (liǎn) → 一脸汗 (a face full of sweat), 一脸笑容 (a face full of smiles).
- 手 (shǒu) → 一手油 (a hand covered in oil), 一手泥 (a hand covered in mud).
- 屋子 (wūzi) → 一屋子人 (a room full of people).
- 桌子 (zhuōzi) → 一桌子书 (a table full of books), 一桌子菜 (a table full of dishes).
- Borrowed verbal measure words: verbs/tools acting as measure words for actions.
- 刀 (dāo) → 切两刀 (cut two slices), 砍一刀 (chop once).
- 针 (zhēn) → 打一针 (give an injection), 缝几针 (sew a few stitches).
Borrowed measure words reflect the Chinese language's love of concrete, image-based expression. Rather than abstract descriptions, Chinese speakers prefer to paint a picture: 一屋子人 lets you visualize a crowded room instantly. This preference for vivid imagery is also seen in Chinese poetry and idioms.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
给我来一碗汤。
Bring me a bowl of soup.
Borrowed from the noun 碗 (bowl)
他跑完步，一脸汗。
After his run, his face was covered in sweat.
别碰，我一手油呢。
Don't touch me — my hands are covered in oil.
一屋子人，真热闹。
A room full of people — so lively!
一桌子书，哪儿有地方吃饭？
The table is covered with books — where is there room to eat?
把西瓜切两刀。
Cut the watermelon twice.
Borrowed verbal measure word
护士给我打了一针。
The nurse gave me an injection.
Borrowed verbal measure word
她一脸笑容地走过来。
She walked over with a face full of smiles.
Common Mistakes
When 碗 is borrowed as a measure word, it replaces 个 — do not use both. It is 一碗汤, not 一个碗汤.
Borrowed measure words do not take 的 between them and the noun. Say 一手油 directly.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Borrowed nominal measure words usually describe "a surface/container full of something." Think: what is holding or displaying the item?
Borrowed verbal measure words count actions by their tool or method: 刀 counts cuts, 针 counts injections or stitches.
These expressions are very common at restaurants: 一碗面, 两碗饭, 一桌子菜.
Practice by looking around your room and describing what you see: 一桌子书, 一地板鞋 (a floor full of shoes).
Homework
Describe a busy kitchen scene using at least four borrowed measure words. Example: 一桌子菜, 一碗汤, 妈妈一手面粉, 把肉切了几刀. Be creative and paint a vivid picture!