Measure Words: 打, 袋, 根, 卷, 棵, 批
名量词：打、袋、根、卷、棵、批
Use six new nominal measure words correctly to describe dozens, bags, thin items, rolls, trees, and batches
Place the appropriate measure word between the number and the noun it modifies. Each measure word matches specific categories of objects based on shape, container, or grouping.
打 is a loanword from English "dozen" and is pronounced dá (second tone), not dǎ. 根 is for long, thin objects. 棵 is exclusively for plants and trees. 批 refers to batches or groups of people or things.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Measure Words: 打, 袋, 根, 卷, 棵, 批 (名量词：打、袋、根、卷、棵、批)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 名量词：打、袋、根、卷、棵、批 pattern
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Understanding 名量词：打、袋、根、卷、棵、批
Chinese measure words (量词) are essential because you cannot simply put a number directly before a noun. At HSK 4, you expand your repertoire with six more specialized measure words. 打 (dá) means "dozen" — borrowed from English, it is used mainly for items sold in dozens like eggs or beer. 袋 (dài) means "bag" and is used for anything that comes in a bag or sack. 根 (gēn) is for long, thin, flexible objects like hair, sticks, ropes, and noodles. 卷 (juǎn) is for rolled-up items like paper, tape, or film. 棵 (kē) is reserved exclusively for plants and trees — it is the only measure word for these. 批 (pī) describes a batch or group, often used for students, products, or shipments arriving together.
Key Points
- 打 (dá) = "dozen" — a loanword from English. Used for: eggs, beer, pencils sold by the dozen.
- 袋 (dài) = "bag / sack" — used for: rice, flour, chips, anything in a bag.
- 根 (gēn) = "strip / stick" — used for long, thin objects: hair, chopsticks, noodles, ropes, sticks.
- 卷 (juǎn) = "roll" — used for: paper, tape, toilet paper, film.
- 棵 (kē) = "plant / tree" — used exclusively for plants: trees, grass, cabbages.
- 批 (pī) = "batch / group" — used for: students, products, goods arriving together.
- These measure words reflect how Chinese categorizes objects by shape, container, and grouping.
Mastering measure words shows a deep understanding of how Chinese speakers perceive and categorize the world. Getting the right measure word impresses native speakers and makes your Chinese sound natural. In markets and shops, using the correct 量词 is especially important for smooth transactions.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
请给我一打啤酒。
Please give me a dozen beers.
妈妈买了两袋米。
Mom bought two bags of rice.
地上有一根头发。
There is a strand of hair on the floor.
我需要一卷纸。
I need a roll of paper.
院子里有三棵树。
There are three trees in the yard.
学校来了一批新学生。
A batch of new students arrived at the school.
他折断了一根筷子。
He snapped a chopstick in half.
根 for long thin items like chopsticks
这批货什么时候到？
When will this batch of goods arrive?
Common Mistakes
Trees and plants always use 棵, never 个. This is one of the strictest measure word rules in Chinese.
根 is for thin, flexible objects like hair or chopsticks. Trees are alive and rooted — use 棵.
打 means "dozen" and implies a count of twelve. Paper comes in rolls, so use 卷.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Remember: 打 is pronounced dá (second tone) — it comes from the English word "dozen." Do not say dǎ (third tone, which means "hit").
For 根, think "long and thin": hair, noodles, ropes, sticks, chopsticks, bananas — anything with a long, thin shape.
For 棵, think "living and rooted": trees, flowers, grass, cabbages — all plants.
批 is very useful in business contexts: 一批货 (a batch of goods), 一批订单 (a batch of orders).
Homework
Go to a market (real or imaginary) and write a shopping list using all six measure words. For example: 一打鸡蛋, 两袋面粉, 三根黄瓜, 一卷保鲜膜, 两棵白菜, 一批苹果.