Measure Words: 栋, 粒, 枚, 则, 盏 & Compound 人次
名量词：栋、粒、枚、则、盏；人次
Master advanced measure words for buildings, small objects, news items, lamps, and the compound measure word 人次
Each measure word pairs with specific noun categories: 栋 for buildings, 粒 for small round objects (grains, pills), 枚 for coins/stamps/medals, 则 for pieces of news or stories, 盏 for lamps or lights. The compound measure word 人次 counts person-visits or person-instances.
These measure words add precision to your Chinese. Using the correct one shows deep vocabulary knowledge. 人次 is a statistical term that has no direct English equivalent — it counts the total number of individual visits or instances, where one person visiting twice counts as two 人次.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Measure Words: 栋, 粒, 枚, 则, 盏 & Compound 人次 (名量词：栋、粒、枚、则、盏；人次)
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Understanding 名量词：栋、粒、枚、则、盏；人次
Chinese measure words are one of the language's most distinctive features, and at HSK 7-9 you are expected to know specialized ones beyond the basics. 栋 (dòng) is used for buildings — not just any building, but typically larger structures like apartment blocks and office towers. 粒 (lì) is for tiny, round, granular objects: grains of rice, pills, seeds, pearls. 枚 (méi) has a somewhat formal or technical feel and is used for coins, stamps, medals, and rockets. 则 (zé) counts pieces of news, stories, or jokes — think of it as counting "items" of information. 盏 (zhǎn) is specifically for lamps or lights and carries a slightly literary flavor. Finally, the compound measure word 人次 (réncì) is indispensable in statistics and reports — it counts person-times, where each individual visit or participation counts as one unit.
Key Points
- 栋 (dòng) — for buildings: 一栋楼 (one building), 三栋别墅 (three villas).
- 粒 (lì) — for small round/granular objects: 一粒米 (one grain of rice), 三粒药 (three pills), 两粒种子 (two seeds).
- 枚 (méi) — for coins, stamps, medals, badges, rockets: 五枚硬币 (five coins), 一枚邮票 (one stamp).
- 则 (zé) — for news items, stories, jokes, fables: 一则新闻 (one piece of news), 两则笑话 (two jokes).
- 盏 (zhǎn) — for lamps or lights: 一盏灯 (one lamp), 几盏路灯 (several streetlights).
- 人次 (réncì) — compound measure word for person-visits/person-instances: 接待三千人次 (received 3,000 person-visits).
- 人次 is widely used in tourism, hospitals, and government statistics.
The measure word system reflects how Chinese speakers categorize the physical world. 粒 (grain-like) and 枚 (flat/coin-like) show how shape determines classification. The existence of 人次 as a statistical unit reflects China's emphasis on quantitative reporting in government and media.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
那条街上有四栋楼。
There are four buildings on that street.
医生让我每天吃三粒药。
The doctor told me to take three pills a day.
她收藏了五枚硬币。
She collected five coins.
我在网上看到了一则新闻。
I saw a piece of news online.
桌上放着一盏灯。
A lamp sits on the table.
今年国庆期间，该景区共接待游客五十万人次。
During this year's National Day holiday, the scenic area received a total of 500,000 visitor-instances.
他在碗里只剩下几粒米。
Only a few grains of rice were left in his bowl.
中国成功发射了一枚火箭。
China successfully launched a rocket.
Common Mistakes
News items use the specific measure word 则, not the generic 个. Using 则 is more precise and shows advanced vocabulary.
Pills are small and round, so they use 粒. Using 个 is not wrong in casual speech but is imprecise at an advanced level.
In statistical reporting, 人次 is more precise because it counts total visits (one person visiting twice = two 人次), not unique individuals.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Group these measure words by what they count: buildings (栋), tiny round things (粒), flat/metal objects (枚), information items (则), lights (盏).
When you see 人次 in news reports, remember it is NOT the same as 人 — 500 人次 could be 250 people visiting twice each.
Practice by describing your surroundings: 房间里有一盏灯, 桌上有几粒药, 窗外有两栋楼.
Remember that 则 is mainly for written/formal contexts. In casual speech, people might say 一个新闻, but 一则新闻 is more precise.
Homework
Write a short news report about a tourist attraction that includes all five measure words (栋, 粒, 枚, 则, 盏) and the compound measure word 人次. Be creative — perhaps describe the buildings, the food, souvenirs, news coverage, lighting, and visitor statistics.