Measure Words: 册, 朵, 幅, 届, 颗, 匹, 扇
名量词：册、朵、幅、届、颗、匹、扇
Use seven new measure words accurately for books/volumes, flowers, paintings, graduating classes, small round objects, horses/cloth, and doors/windows
Each measure word pairs with specific nouns based on the shape, nature, or cultural classification of the object. Place the measure word between the number (or demonstrative) and the noun.
Chinese measure words are one of the most distinctive features of the language. At HSK 5, you move beyond 个 and learn specialized measure words that show real fluency. Using the correct measure word immediately marks you as an advanced speaker.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Measure Words: 册, 朵, 幅, 届, 颗, 匹, 扇 (名量词：册、朵、幅、届、颗、匹、扇)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 名量词：册、朵、幅、届、颗、匹、扇 pattern
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Understanding 名量词：册、朵、幅、届、颗、匹、扇
By HSK 5, you already know common measure words like 个, 本, 张, and 条. Now you are adding seven more precise tools. 册 (cè) counts bound volumes — think of multi-volume dictionaries or book series. 朵 (duǒ) is specifically for flowers and clouds, evoking something beautiful and delicate. 幅 (fú) measures flat artwork — paintings, photographs, and maps. 届 (jiè) counts graduating classes or sessions of a conference. 颗 (kē) is for small, round objects — pearls, bullets, teeth, stars, and hearts (in the poetic sense). 匹 (pǐ) is used for horses and bolts of cloth. 扇 (shàn) counts doors and windows. Each measure word carries cultural weight and imagery. Using 一朵花 instead of 一个花 shows you appreciate the beauty of the flower; using 一颗心 instead of 一个心 shows poetic sensibility.
Key Points
- 册 (cè) — for bound volumes: 一册书, 一册词典. Often used for sets or series.
- 朵 (duǒ) — for flowers and clouds: 一朵花, 一朵白云. Evokes beauty and delicacy.
- 幅 (fú) — for flat artwork and images: 一幅画, 一幅照片, 一幅地图.
- 届 (jiè) — for graduating classes, sessions, or terms: 第一届学生, 第三届会议.
- 颗 (kē) — for small, round objects: 一颗糖, 一颗星星, 一颗牙, 一颗心.
- 匹 (pǐ) — for horses and bolts of cloth: 一匹马, 一匹布.
- 扇 (shàn) — for doors and windows: 一扇门, 一扇窗户.
Measure words in Chinese are not arbitrary — they reflect how Chinese culture perceives and categorizes the world. 朵 for flowers captures their petal-like, blooming shape. 颗 for stars, pearls, and hearts connects small, precious, round things. Learning these distinctions gives you insight into the Chinese aesthetic worldview.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
图书馆里有好几册古书。
The library has several volumes of ancient books.
她送给我一朵玫瑰花。
She gave me a rose.
墙上挂着一幅山水画。
A landscape painting hangs on the wall.
这是我们学校第十届毕业生。
This is the tenth graduating class of our school.
妈妈给小孩儿一颗糖。
Mom gave the child a piece of candy.
草原上有一匹白马。
There is a white horse on the grassland.
请你把那扇窗户打开。
Please open that window.
天上飘着几朵白云。
A few white clouds float in the sky.
Common Mistakes
Flowers use 朵, not 个. Using 朵 shows you appreciate the delicate, blooming shape of the flower.
Paintings and artwork use 幅, not 张. 张 is for flat, thin objects like paper and tickets, but art gets the more refined 幅.
Stars are small, round, and precious — they take 颗, the measure word for small spherical objects.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Group these by imagery: 朵 = blooming (flowers, clouds), 颗 = small and round (candy, stars, pearls), 幅 = flat and displayed (paintings, maps).
When you see a horse in a movie, say 一匹马 out loud — physical association helps memory.
Remember: doors and windows are "panels" that swing — 扇 is also the character for "fan," which also swings.
For 册, think of a library shelf — books lined up in volumes of a series.
Homework
Write a short paragraph describing a scene (a room, a garden, or a landscape) using at least five of the seven measure words from this lesson. Be creative!