Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Using 列 (liè) as a measure word for trains

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Numeral + 列 + 列车/火车

    Explanation

    列 (liè) is a measure word used specifically for trains and similar vehicles traveling in a line. When counting trains, you say 一列火车 (one train) or 两列列车 (two trains), where 列 specifies the unit.

    Examples

    • 站台上停着一列火车。

      zhàntái shàng tíng zhe yī liè huǒchē.

      A train is stopped at the platform.

    • 今天有三列高铁晚点了。

      jīntiān yǒu sān liè gāotiě wǎndiǎn le.

      Three high-speed trains were delayed today.

    • 远处驶来一列货运列车。

      yuǎnchù shǐ lái yī liè huòyùn lièchē.

      A freight train is approaching from the distance.

    Using 列 (liè) as a measure word for trains | Chinese Grammar