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    Chinese Grammar

    The classifier 顿 (dùn) for meals

    Listing & Enumeration
    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 顿 + 饭

    Explanation

    The classifier 顿 (dùn) is used specifically to count meals. It is placed between a number and the word for meal, as in 一顿饭 (one meal) or 三顿饭 (three meals). This classifier is exclusively used with meals and cannot be applied to other food-related nouns.

    Examples

    • 我今天只吃了一顿饭，现在饿极了。

      wǒ jīntiān zhǐ chī le yī dùn fàn, xiànzài è jí le.

      I only had one meal today; I'm starving now.

    • 中国人一般一天吃三顿饭。

      Zhōngguó rén yībān yī tiān chī sān dùn fàn.

      Chinese people generally eat three meals a day.

    • 昨晚那顿饭是我吃过最好吃的一顿。

      Zuówǎn nà dùn fàn shì wǒ chīguò zuì hǎochī de yī dùn.

      The dinner last night was the best meal I've ever had.

    Often Confused With