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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'cup' or 'cup competition' with 杯 (bēi)

    Comparison
    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 杯 + Liquid / Name + 杯

    Explanation

    杯 (bēi) means "cup" and has two main uses: as a measure word for cups of liquid, such as 一杯水 (a cup of water), and as a suffix for cup competitions in sports, such as 世界杯 (World Cup) or 法国杯 (French Cup). The context makes it clear which meaning is intended.

    Examples

    • 请给我倒一杯咖啡。

      Qǐng gěi wǒ dào yī bēi kāfēi.

      Please pour me a cup of coffee.

    • 今年的世界杯你看了吗？

      Jīnnián de shìjièbēi nǐ kàn le ma?

      Did you watch this year's World Cup?

    • 她每天早上喝两杯牛奶。

      Tā měitiān zǎoshang hē liǎng bēi niúnǎi.

      She drinks two glasses of milk every morning.

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    Expressing 'cup' or 'cup competition' with 杯 (bēi) | Chinese Grammar