CHINESE GRAMMAR: Classifiers & Measure Words

Описание: Unlike English, Chinese requires the insertion of a mandatory classifier or measure word between a number and a countable noun when enumerating objects. What is a classifier and how is it determined? How is it chosen by native speakers? How does it behave in natural discourse? What is the difference between a classifier and a measure word?
(UNIT 6.1)

00:00 English vs Chinese classifiers
03:26 How native speakers select suitable classifiers
05:33 Classifiers in natural discourse
06:06 The generic classifier GE
06:33 Classifiers that alter the noun
07:44 Classifiers variation & change
08:59 Classifiers vs measure words
11:55 Formal tests for C/M distinction

For more information, see the following papers:
• Tien, Yi-Min, Ovid J. L. Tzeng, and Daisy L. Hung. 2002. “Semantic and Cognitive Basis of Chinese Classifiers: A Functional Approach”. Language and Linguistics 3 (1): 101-132.
• Erbaugh, Mary S. 1986. “Taking Stock: The Development of Chinese Noun Classifiers Historically and in Young Children”. In Craig, Colette G., ed., Noun Classes and Categorization, pp.399-436. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
• Chen, Yi Ju and One Soon Her. 2020. “Measure Words and Classifiers: Introspective Viewpoints and Suggestions in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language”. World of Chinese Language 126: 19-34.

Tables in this video are taken from:
• Li, Chris Wen-chao (forthcoming, January 2026). Learning Intermediate Chinese, Volume 1: Adventures in the Capital. London: Routledge.

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