Measure Words: 餐, 串, 滴, 副, 股, 集, 枝
名量词：餐、串、滴、副、股、集、枝
Master seven advanced measure words for meals, strings, drops, pairs, streams, episodes, and branches
Place the measure word between a number (or demonstrative) and the noun it qualifies. Each measure word pairs with specific categories of nouns based on the physical shape or nature of the object.
餐 (meals), 串 (things on a string or in a cluster), 滴 (tiny drops of liquid), 副 (matched pairs or sets), 股 (streams, forces, smells), 集 (episodes of TV/series), 枝 (long thin things like flowers or sticks).
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Measure Words: 餐, 串, 滴, 副, 股, 集, 枝 (名量词：餐、串、滴、副、股、集、枝)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 名量词：餐、串、滴、副、股、集、枝 pattern
New here?
Understanding 名量词：餐、串、滴、副、股、集、枝
Chinese measure words are one of the language's most distinctive features, and at HSK 6 you need precision beyond the basic 个. These seven measure words each evoke a specific image. 餐 (cān) counts meals — 一餐饭 is "one meal," and it implies a complete eating occasion. 串 (chuàn) is wonderfully visual — it describes things threaded together on a string, like 一串葡萄 (a bunch of grapes) or 一串钥匙 (a set of keys on a ring). 滴 (dī) is for the tiniest amounts of liquid — 一滴水 (a drop of water), 一滴泪 (a teardrop). 副 (fù) counts paired or matching items — 一副眼镜 (a pair of glasses), 一副手套 (a pair of gloves). 股 (gǔ) is abstract yet powerful — it measures streams, forces, and intangible flows: 一股力量 (a surge of strength), 一股香味 (a waft of fragrance). 集 (jí) counts episodes of serialised content — 一集电视剧 (one episode of a TV drama). 枝 (zhī) is for long, slender objects — 一枝花 (a single flower on its stem), 一枝笔 (a pen, literary).
Key Points
- 餐 (cān): counts meals — 一餐饭, 三餐 (three meals a day), 每餐.
- 串 (chuàn): things threaded together — 一串葡萄, 一串珠子 (a string of beads), 一串钥匙.
- 滴 (dī): tiny drops — 一滴水, 一滴血 (a drop of blood), 一滴眼泪.
- 副 (fù): matched pairs or sets — 一副眼镜, 一副手套, 一副扑克牌 (a deck of cards).
- 股 (gǔ): streams, forces, smells — 一股力量, 一股暖流, 一股味道. Also used for shares (股票).
- 集 (jí): episodes — 第一集 (episode one), 共十集 (ten episodes in total).
- 枝 (zhī): long thin items — 一枝花, 一枝铅笔 (literary). Note: 支 (zhī) is a near-synonym but used differently.
串 is deeply embedded in Chinese food culture — 烤串 (kǎochuàn, grilled skewers) is one of China's most beloved street foods. When you order 来十串羊肉串 (give me ten lamb skewers), you are using this measure word in its most authentic context. Understanding 串 connects you to China's vibrant night market culture.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
一天三餐要按时吃。
You should eat three meals a day on time.
她买了一串葡萄。
She bought a bunch of grapes.
他连一滴水都没有喝。
He didn't drink even a drop of water.
我需要买一副新眼镜。
I need to buy a new pair of glasses.
一股强大的力量推动着他前进。
A powerful force was driving him forward.
这部电视剧一共有三十集。
This TV drama has thirty episodes in total.
他送给她一枝玫瑰花。
He gave her a single rose.
枝 emphasises the flower on its stem
这里有一股奇怪的味道。
There is a strange smell here.
Common Mistakes
Grapes grow in bunches (串). Using 个 would refer to a single grape, which is unnatural for a purchase.
Glasses use 副, not 双. 双 is for items that come as a naturally separated pair (shoes, socks), while 副 is for items that form a connected set.
集 is itself the measure word — do not add 个 before it. Just say 二十集.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Visualise the shape: 串 = things on a string; 滴 = a tiny falling droplet; 枝 = a long thin stick or stem.
Remember 副 by thinking of glasses — they are the most common object counted with 副.
For 股, think of invisible flows: forces (力量), smells (味道), warmth (暖流), energy (劲儿).
Watch Chinese TV dramas and notice how 集 appears in episode lists — immersion makes this measure word feel natural.
Homework
Write a short story (150-200 characters) that uses all seven measure words at least once. Set it in a night market or food street for natural opportunities to use 餐 and 串.