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Forming a measure noun phrase
Structure
Number + Measure Word + Noun
Explanation
A measure noun phrase in Chinese combines a number, a measure word (classifier), and a noun to express quantities. This structure is essential because most Chinese nouns require a classifier when being counted. For example, 一个人 (one person) uses the general classifier 个 between the number and the noun.
Examples
桌子上有三杯咖啡。
Zhuōzi shàng yǒu sān bēi kāfēi.
There are three cups of coffee on the table.
我想买两件衬衫和一条裤子。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi liǎng jiàn chènshān hé yī tiáo kùzi.
I want to buy two shirts and a pair of pants.
教室里坐着二十个学生。
Jiàoshì lǐ zuòzhe èrshí ge xuéshēng.
Twenty students are sitting in the classroom.
桌子上有三杯咖啡。
Zhuōzi shàng yǒu sān bēi kāfēi.
There are three cups of coffee on the table.
我想买两件衬衫和一条裤子。
Wǒ xiǎng mǎi liǎng jiàn chènshān hé yī tiáo kùzi.
I want to buy two shirts and a pair of pants.
教室里坐着二十个学生。
Jiàoshì lǐ zuò zhe èrshí ge xuéshēng.
Twenty students are sitting in the classroom.