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    Chinese Grammar

    Counting meters with the measure word 米 (mǐ)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 米

    Explanation

    The measure word 米 (mǐ) is used to count meters as a unit of length. In Chinese, 米 functions as a classifier placed directly after a number to express distance or dimensions. Simply place a number before 米 to indicate a measurement in meters.

    Examples

    • 这条河大概有五十米宽。

      zhè tiáo hé dàgài yǒu wǔshí mǐ kuān.

      This river is about fifty meters wide.

    • 他跑了一百米只用了十二秒。

      tā pǎo le yībǎi mǐ zhǐ yòng le shí'èr miǎo.

      He ran a hundred meters in just twelve seconds.

    • 我家离地铁站不到三百米，很方便。

      wǒ jiā lí dìtiě zhàn bú dào sānbǎi mǐ, hěn fāngbiàn.

      My home is less than three hundred meters from the subway station — very convenient.

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    Counting meters with the measure word 米 (mǐ) | Chinese Grammar