RealHSK

HSK 1Lesson 4 of 13 · 4 grammar points

Counting objects, time and age

A number does not tell you what is being counted. The following classifier or unit supplies that information. Learn noun-classifier combinations as useful phrases and keep clock time, elapsed time and age separate.

Learning goals (4)
  • Basic numbers.
  • Noun classifiers.
  • Container measure: 杯.
  • Time and age units.

两

Basic numbers

Build tens and hundreds by place value. 两 often precedes classifiers, while 二 is used in counting, dates and many number labels. 半 means half.

我要两杯水。

Wǒ yào liǎng bēi shuǐ.

I would like two glasses of water.

More

一二三四五六七八九 name digits; 零 fills certain missing positions; 十、百、千 are place-value units. 十一=11, 二十=20, 一百零三=103. Two before classifiers is usually 两: 两个人. 二 remains in counting and 十二区. 半 means half: 半杯水.

Pitfall: 十二 uses 二; 两杯 ordinarily uses 两.

本

Noun classifiers

Use number+classifier+noun: 一本书、一件衣服、一家商店. Match the classifier to the noun; 元 and 块 count currency rather than arbitrary objects.

我买了三本书。

Wǒ mǎi le sān běn shū.

I bought three books.

More

一本书 a book; 一个学生 a student; 一家商店 a shop; 三口人 three family members; 一块钱 one yuan; 一件衣服 an item of clothing; 一只猫 a cat; 一元钱 one yuan. 元 is formal currency terminology; 块 is frequent in speech.

Pitfall: 个 is useful but cannot replace every classifier naturally.

杯

Container measure: 杯

A container can measure its contents. Number+杯+drink describes servings, not a separate classifier before 杯.

请给我一杯茶。

Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi chá.

Please give me a cup of tea.

More

Pitfall: 一杯茶 is a cup of tea; 一个杯子 is a cup as an object.

日、号、岁、点、分、年、天

Time and age units

Use 年 and 天 for durations, 岁 for age, 点 and 分 for clock time, and 日 or 号 for calendar dates.

我女儿今年六岁。

Wǒ nǚ ér jīn nián liù suì.

My daughter is six this year.

More

五月一日 and 五月一号 are dates, with 号 common in speech. 六岁 is age; 三点十分 a clock time; 一年 and 三天 durations. A duration minute is commonly 一分钟, whereas 分 can participate in a clock expression.

Pitfall: 六点 describes a time; 六岁 describes age.

Source details (official syllabus)

  • Basic numbers

    Syllabus item
    一、二/两、三、四、五、六、七、八、九、零、十、百、半、千
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L1-011
    PDF page
    386 (printed 383)

  • Noun classifiers

    Syllabus item
    （1）专用名量词：本、个、家、口、块、件、只、元
    Category
    名量词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L1-012
    PDF page
    386 (printed 383)

  • Container measure: 杯

    Syllabus item
    （2）借用名量词：杯
    Category
    名量词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L1-013
    PDF page
    386 (printed 383)

  • Time and age units

    Syllabus item
    日、号、岁、点、分、年、天
    Category
    时量词
    Grammar ID
    grammar-L1-014
    PDF page
    386 (printed 383)