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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 艘 (sōu) as a classifier for ships

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 艘 + Ship/Boat Noun

    Explanation

    The classifier 艘 (sōu) is the measure word used specifically for boats, ships, and other watercraft. Like all Chinese classifiers, it is placed between a number and the noun it modifies. For example, 两艘船 means 'two ships.'

    Examples

    • 港口停着三艘大船。

      Gǎngkǒu tíng zhe sān sōu dà chuán.

      Three large ships are docked at the port.

    • 远处有一艘渔船正在靠岸。

      Yuǎnchù yǒu yì sōu yúchuán zhèngzài kào àn.

      In the distance, a fishing boat is approaching the shore.

    • 这艘船已经有两百年的历史了。

      Zhè sōu chuán yǐjīng yǒu liǎng bǎi nián de lìshǐ le.

      This ship already has two hundred years of history.

    Using 艘 (sōu) as a classifier for ships | Chinese Grammar