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    Chinese Grammar

    Classifying incidents with the measure word 起 (qǐ)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 起 + Event Noun

    Explanation

    The measure word 起 (qǐ) is used to count incidents, cases, or occurrences—especially accidents, crimes, or notable events. It pairs with numbers to quantify how many events took place. For example, 两起事件 means "two incidents."

    Examples

    • 上个月这条路上发生了三起交通事故。

      Shàng gè yuè zhè tiáo lù shàng fāshēng le sān qǐ jiāotōng shìgù.

      Last month, three traffic accidents occurred on this road.

    • 警方正在调查一起盗窃案件。

      Jǐngfāng zhèngzài diàochá yì qǐ dàoqiè ànjiàn.

      The police are investigating a theft case.

    • 今年已经报告了多起食品安全事件。

      Jīnnián yǐjīng bàogào le duō qǐ shípǐn ānquán shìjiàn.

      Multiple food safety incidents have already been reported this year.

    Classifying incidents with the measure word 起 (qǐ) | Chinese Grammar