专用名量词:本、个、家、口、块、件、只、元

HSK-G-12
HSK 1 词类 量词

Why do I need 个 in 三个人 when English just says three people?

Spoken Chinese counts nouns with a measure word, so 三个人 is normal.

English says three people with no extra word. Chinese says 三个人, which is number + measure word + noun. The measure word is not decoration. It tells the listener you are counting a noun. In daily speech, dropping it sounds like classical Chinese or a headline. Use number + 个 + person or thing as your HSK 1 default. Later you swap 个 for special counters like 本, 家, 口, 只.
Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Counting people in speechNumber + 个 + 人三个人三人
Counting things in speechNumber + 个 + noun一个苹果一苹果
Asking how many people几个人?几个人?几人?

Can I just use 个 for every noun and skip 本, 家, 口, 只?

个 is the default, but specific nouns demand specific counters.

个 is the safe beginner default for people and random objects. You can say 一个人, 一个苹果, 一个问题 without trouble. But books, families, companies, animals, and clothes have their own counters. Using 个 there is not always broken, but it often sounds like a robot guessing. Think of 个 as a plain cardboard box. Special counters are labeled boxes for books, animals, and money. Learn the noun and its counter together, like a married couple.
Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Counting random objectsNumber + 个 + noun一个苹果一个书
Counting booksNumber + 本 + 书三本书三个书
Counting companiesNumber + 家 + company一家公司一个公司
Counting animalsNumber + 只 + animal一只猫一个猫
Counting family membersNumber + 口 + 人四口人四个人 (for family size)

Why do Chinese people say 四口人 for family size instead of 四个人?

口 is the standard counter for family members.

个 counts people in general, like strangers or a group at a bus stop. 口 counts mouths in a household, so it signals family size. If you say 我家有四个人, it can sound like four random people are in your house. If you say 我家有四口人, everyone hears 'we are a family of four'. Use 口 for parents, kids, and siblings. Use 个 for coworkers, friends, or strangers. So 我家有四口人 is warm and normal; 四个人 is not broken, but it misses the family flavor.
Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Family sizeNumber + 口 + 人四口人四个人 (for family)
Asking family size你家有几口人?你家有几口人?你家有几个人? (for family)
Counting strangersNumber + 个 + 人四个人在门口四口人在门口
Counting friendsNumber + 个 + 人三个朋友三口朋友

Why is a shirt 一件 but a cat 一只?

件 is for flat items like clothes; 只 is for animals and pairs.

件 groups things that are flat, packaged, or matter-like: 一件衣服, 一件行李, 一件事. 只 groups animals and one item from a pair: 一只猫, 一只鸟, 一只鞋, 一只手. English uses 'piece' for both, but Chinese splits them by shape and category. Saying 一件猫 sounds like you put a cat in a shirt box. Saying 一只衣服 sounds like you have one shirt as a pet. Match the counter to the noun's shape or living thing status.
Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Clothes and flat itemsNumber + 件 + item一件衣服一只衣服
AnimalsNumber + 只 + animal一只猫一件猫
One of a pairNumber + 只 + item一只鞋一件鞋
Matters or affairsNumber + 件 + 事一件事一只事

When do I say 三块, 三块钱, or 三元?

块 is spoken yuan; 元 is formal; 钱 is optional.

块 is the everyday spoken word for a yuan, so prices often use 块: 三块, 五块, 十块. 元 is the formal or written word you see on menus, receipts, and bank forms. 钱 just means money, so 三块钱 adds 'money' when the context is not obvious. For 3.5 yuan, say 三块五. Do not say 三块五块. In a shop, 三块 is enough. On a receipt, you see 三元. Never mix 块 and 元 in the same simple price if you want to sound normal.
Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Everyday spoken priceNumber + 块三块三元 (too formal in chat)
Adding money wordNumber + 块 + 钱三块钱三块元
Formal or written priceNumber + 元三元三块 (on a bank form)
3.5 yuan in speechNumber + 块 + digit三块五三块五块

Appears in Stories 22 stories

《我的家人(2)》 My Family Members
HSK 1 ~2 min read 141 chars
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This playful rhyme helps you learn family words in Chinese. Practice saying who's who with simple questions and answers!

  • 小朋友,我问问你,这个小朋友,他是谁?

    Little one, let me ask you: who is this little boy?

  • 这个小朋友是我哥。

    This little boy is my older brother.

  • 那个小孩子,他是谁?

    And that little kid—who is he?

  • 那个小孩子是我弟。

    That little kid is my younger brother.

  • 小朋友,我再问你,这个女孩子,她是谁?

    Little one, let me ask you again: who is this little girl?

  • 这个女孩子是我姐。

    This little girl is my older sister.

  • 那个女孩儿,她是谁?

    And that little girl—who is she?

  • 那个女孩儿是我妹。

    That little girl is my younger sister.

《五个苹果三块钱》 Five Apples, Three Yuan
HSK 1 ~1 min read 57 chars
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Shopping for fruit is a common daily task in China. Practice saying prices, counting items, and using simple shopping phrases while buying five apples for three yuan.

  • 今天我在一个商店买东西。

    Today I'm shopping at a store.

  • 这个商店有很多水果。

    This store has a lot of fruit.

  • 我有三块钱。

    I have three yuan.

  • 今天我买了五个苹果。

    Today I bought five apples.

  • 这五个苹果都是中国苹果。

    All five of these apples are Chinese apples.

《五块钱》 The Five-Yuan Gift
HSK 1 ~6 min read 414 chars
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This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.

  • 老先生来到高先明前边,给高先明五块钱。

    The old gentleman came over to Gao Xianming and gave him five yuan.

  • 一个月后,高先明来这里坐车。

    A month later, Gao Xianming came here to take the bus.

  • 高先明说:“老先生,谢谢您那天的五块钱。”

    Gao Xianming said, 'Sir, thank you for the five yuan the other day.'

  • 高先明看见一个中国同学安小语,也是手里少五块钱,不能上车。

    Gao Xianming saw a Chinese classmate, An Xiaoyu, who was also five yuan short and couldn't get on the bus.

  • 高先明去前边,给安小语五块钱。

    Gao Xianming went up to the front and gave An Xiaoyu five yuan.

《吃的东西和喝的东西》 Buying Food and Drinks
HSK 1 ~4 min read 305 chars
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This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.

  • 今天我正在一个商店买东西。

    Today I'm shopping at a store.

  • 这个商店有很多东西,有吃的东西也有喝的东西。

    This store has a lot of things—there are things to eat and things to drink.

  • 哪个桌椅?”

    Which table and chairs?'

  • 我:“上个星期天,你说你喜欢他们的那个桌子和那个电脑椅。

    Me: 'Last Sunday, you said you liked their table and that computer chair.'

《七号桌的客人》 The Guest at Table Seven
HSK 1 ~5 min read 396 chars
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This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.

  • 常大中在一个饭店里工作。

    Chang Dazhong works at a restaurant.

  • 天天晚上八点,都有一个老先生来。

    Every evening at eight, an elderly gentleman comes in.

  • 天天都是这个时候。

    It is always this time every day.

  • 老先生看看大中,对大中说:“五年前,我儿子也在这家饭店工作。

    The old gentleman looks at Dazhong and says, 'Five years ago, my son also worked at this restaurant.'

《一两件新衣服》 New Clothes and Good Friends
HSK 1 ~2 min read 84 chars
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This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.

  • 一两件新衣服,两三本汉语书。

    One or two new pieces of clothing, two or three Chinese books.

  • 三四个小学生,四五个中学生,五六个大学生。

    Three or four primary school students, four or five middle school students, five or six university students.

  • 六七个男学生,七八个女同学,八九个好朋友。

    Six or seven male students, seven or eight female classmates, eight or nine good friends.

《这个苹果不是中国苹果》 Six Apples, Two Origins
HSK 1 ~1 min read 66 chars
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In this easy story, you will follow a simple trip to the supermarket to buy apples. Practice numbers, question words, and nationalities in a real-life shopping context.

  • 我有十五块钱。

    I have fifteen yuan.

  • 三个苹果是中国的,三个苹果不是中国的。

    Three of the apples are from China, and three are not.

《苹果十五》 Buying an iPhone in Beijing
HSK 1 ~1 min read 43 chars
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This short story follows a simple shopping trip in Beijing. You will learn words for buying a phone in Chinese.

  • 这是一个苹果手机。

    This is an Apple phone.

  • 这个手机六千多块钱。

    This phone costs over six thousand yuan.

《友好的高友朋》 A Friendly New Friend at Work
HSK 2 ~4 min read 243 chars
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Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.

  • 他叫高友朋,是一个北京人。

    His name is Gao Youpeng, and he's a Beijinger.

  • 他说周六可以教我做几个北京菜。

    He said he can teach me to make a few Beijing dishes on Saturday.

《一二三 住医院》 Hospital Days, Pricey Plates
HSK 1 ~2 min read 107 chars
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Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.

  • 饺子七块五,包子五块三。

    Dumplings are 7.50 yuan, and steamed buns are 5.30 yuan.

  • 面包一块二,牛奶四块三。

    Bread is 1.20 yuan, and milk is 4.30 yuan.

《热面条》 Hot Noodles on a Cold Night
HSK 1 ~5 min read 399 chars
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Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.

  • 晚上,大中去公司前边的一个小饭店吃饭。

    In the evening, Dazhong heads over to a little noodle shop in front of his office for dinner.

  • 今天,面条里有两个大鸡蛋。

    Tonight, floating in the noodles were two big eggs.

《找“大白”》 Looking for Big White
HSK 1 ~5 min read 361 chars
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A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.

  • 白天明住在中国的一个大学里。

    Bai Tianming lives on a university campus in China.

  • 白天明看见老先生的家里,有一只很大很白的大猫。

    Bai Tianming saw that in the old man's home there was a very big, very white cat.

《三号病房的苹果》 The Apple in Ward Three
HSK 1 ~3 min read 191 chars
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Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.

  • 天天下午,桌子上都会多出一个很大的苹果。

    Every afternoon, a very big apple would appear on the table.

  • 老先生说,你一个人在中国。

    The old man said, "You are alone in China."

《很贵的苹果》 The Expensive Apples
HSK 1 ~2 min read 137 chars
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This short, simple story follows a shopper's trip to the supermarket to buy apples. You'll learn useful vocabulary for shopping, prices, and comparing things.

  • 我有四十五块钱。

    I had forty-five yuan.

《星期七》 The Week Without Seven
HSK 1 ~2 min read 82 chars
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Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!

  • 星期天,星期日,两个名字都可以。

    Sunday—both 星期天 and 星期日 are acceptable names.

《你喜欢看老电影吗?》 Do You Like Old Movies?
HSK 2 ~3 min read 224 chars
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In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.

  • A:可以问你几个问题吗?

    A: Can I ask you a few questions?

《医生问问题》 Doctor Asks Questions
HSK 1 ~1 min read 60 chars
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Before you read: this is a short rhyming poem. You will meet a doctor who asks about seeing and hearing. Try to spot words you already know!

  • 一个小问题。

    One small question.

《这还是茶馆儿吗?》 Teahouse or Cinema?
HSK 3 ~3 min read 325 chars
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Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.

  • 北京有一个有名的老茶馆儿,叫“老舍茶馆”。

    There is a famous old teahouse in Beijing called Lao She Teahouse.

《谢谢你来看我》 Rain, Thank You for Visiting Me
HSK 1 ~2 min read 152 chars
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Before you read, close your eyes and imagine a rainy afternoon. This story uses simple HSK 1 words to show how rain can become a talking friend.

  • 这个下午,天气很好。

    This afternoon, the weather is lovely.

《时间和时候(1)卖车看电影》 Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
HSK 1 ~2 min read 146 chars
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Follow a day from waking at six-thirty to coming home at eight, then leap across days, months, and years. This simple story helps you practice speaking about routines and life changes with clear time words.

  • 后天有个好电影。

    There's a good movie the day after tomorrow.

《苹果十九》 Waiting for iPhone 19
HSK 1 ~2 min read 99 chars
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Read this short story about people waiting in the rain for a new phone. You will practice numbers, time, and everyday vocabulary.

  • 苹果十九很贵,八千七百多块钱。

    The iPhone 19 is very expensive—more than 8,700 yuan.

《我想买电视》 The TV I Want
HSK 1 ~1 min read 41 chars
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Join a shopper on a quick trip to the store. You'll learn simple words for shopping and feelings in this easy-to-follow story.

  • 这个商店有很多东西。

    This store has a lot of things.

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