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    Chinese Grammar

    Counting items with 件 (jiàn)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 件 + Noun

    Explanation

    件 (jiàn) is a measure word used to count individual items, particularly clothing, luggage, matters, or pieces of merchandise. It is one of the most common measure words in Chinese. For example, 一件衣服 means "one piece of clothing" and 三件商品 means "three items of merchandise."

    Examples

    • 我昨天买了两件衬衫和一件外套。

      Wǒ zuótiān mǎi le liǎng jiàn chènshān hé yí jiàn wàitào.

      I bought two shirts and a jacket yesterday.

    • 这件事你别担心，我来处理。

      Zhè jiàn shì nǐ bié dānxīn, wǒ lái chǔlǐ.

      Don't worry about this; I'll handle it.

    • 行李箱里一共有五件行李。

      Xínglixiāng lǐ yígòng yǒu wǔ jiàn xíngli.

      There are five pieces of luggage in the suitcase altogether.

    • 我昨天买了两件衬衫和一件外套。

      Wǒ zuótiān mǎile liǎng jiàn chènshān hé yí jiàn wàitào.

      I bought two shirts and a jacket yesterday.

    • 这件事你别担心，我来处理。

      Zhè jiàn shì nǐ bié dānxīn, wǒ lái chǔlǐ.

      Don't worry about this; I'll handle it.

    • 行李箱里一共有五件行李。

      Xínglixiāng lǐ yígòng yǒu wǔ jiàn xíngli.

      There are five pieces of luggage in the suitcase altogether.