Traditional Chinese Measure Words: Free PDF and Flashcards

So you’ve memorised the nouns-狗 (dog), 書 (book), 茶 (tea)-and the numbers are solid. Then you try to say ‘two dogs’ and freeze because you need a measure word: 兩隻狗. Measure words are those tiny classifiers that sit between a number (or demonstrative) and a noun, and they trip up almost every learner.

We built this for anyone tired of guessing whether it’s 一張紙 or 一個紙-from brand-new learners to rusty speakers who need a quick reference. No dusty textbook relics, just the vocabulary that keeps your sentences flowing. Keep scrolling for the interactive table, and remember you can grab the PDF anytime.

Ready to make those tiny word helpers feel a lot less mysterious? Scroll to the bottom of the article for the free printable Traditional Chinese measure words vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable Traditional Chinese measure words flashcards, so you can study with a grin instead of a groan.

Want more than one list? Browse our Traditional Chinese section for more Yak Yacker study pages, printable lists, and quiz-friendly review material.

Quick Quiz

Think you can pair the right measure word with each noun? Give the quiz below a quick go-no pressure, just a friendly way to spot the ones that need a second look.

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Browse the Full List

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	Example	Example Pinyin	Translation
封	fēng	used for letters, sealed envelopes	我收到了一封信。	Wǒ shōudào le yì fēng xìn.	I received a letter.
對	duì	pair	他們是一對情侶。	Tāmen shì yī duì qínglǚ.	They are a couple.
層	céng	layer, floor, level	這棟大樓有十層。	Zhè dòng dà lóu yǒu shí céng.	This building has ten floors.
幅	fú	measure word for flat objects (pictures, paintings, maps)	牆上掛著一幅畫。	Qiáng shàng guà zhe yī fú huà.	A painting is hanging on the wall.
幅	fú	used for paintings, pictures	墙上挂着一幅山水画。	Qiáng shàng guàzhe yī fú shānshuǐ huà.	A landscape painting is hanging on the wall.
座	zuò	used for large, fixed structures	這座橋很長。	Zhè zuò qiáo hěn cháng.	This bridge is very long.
座	zuò	used for large, solid structures like buildings, mountains	那座大桥非常壮观。	Nà zuò dàqiáo fēicháng zhuàngguān.	That large bridge is very magnificent.
張	zhāng	for flat objects	桌子上有一張紙。	Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yī zhāng zhǐ.	There is a piece of paper on the table.
張	zhāng	for flat objects	桌子上有一張紙。	Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yī zhāng zhǐ.	There is a piece of paper on the table.
把	bǎ	measure word for objects with handles; handful	我買了一把新雨傘。	Wǒ mǎi le yī bǎ xīn yǔsǎn.	I bought a new umbrella.
把	bǎ	for objects with handles or can be grasped	我買了一把傘。	Wǒ mǎi le yī bǎ sǎn.	I bought an umbrella.
支	zhī	for long thin objects	我買了一支筆。	Wǒ mǎi le yī zhī bǐ.	I bought a pen.
支	zhī	used for long, thin, rigid objects	請給我一枝筆。	Qǐng gěi wǒ yī zhī bǐ.	Please give me a pen.
本	běn	for books	這本書很有趣。	Zhè běn shū hěn yǒuqù.	This book is interesting.
本	běn	for books, notebooks	這本書很有趣。	Zhè běn shū hěn yǒuqù.	This book is interesting.
朵	duǒ	used for flowers, clouds, and mushroom-shaped things	她收到了一朵花。	Tā shōudào le yì duǒ huā.	She received a flower.
朵	duǒ	used for flowers, clouds	天上飘着几朵白云。	Tiānshàng piāozhe jǐ duǒ bái yún.	There are a few white clouds floating in the sky.
杯	bēi	cup of	請給我一杯水。	Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ.	Please give me a cup of water.
杯	bēi	cup of, glass of	我要一杯水。	Wǒ yào yī bēi shuǐ.	I want a glass of water.
架	jià	used for machines with a frame, like airplanes, pianos	机场上停着好几架飞机。	Jīchǎng shàng tíngzhe hǎojǐ jià fēijī.	Several airplanes are parked at the airport.
根	gēn	measure word for long, slender things	我吃了一根香蕉。	Wǒ chī le yī gēn xiāngjiāo.	I ate a banana.
根	gēn	for long, thin, rigid objects	他吃了一根香蕉。	Tā chī le yī gēn xiāngjiāo.	He ate a banana.
條	tiáo	for long flexible things	這條路很長。	Zhè tiáo lù hěn cháng.	This road is very long.
條	tiáo	for long, flexible things	這條路很長。	Zhè tiáo lù hěn cháng.	This road is very long.
棵	kē	used for trees and plants	公園裡有三棵大樹。	Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu sān kē dà shù.	There are three big trees in the park.

Free Traditional Chinese Measure Words PDF and Flashcards to Download

Click the purple button for the Traditional Chinese measure words vocabulary list and the teal button for the Traditional Chinese measure words flashcards. Both downloads are 100% free and require no signup.