数量词组 (Shùliàng Cízǔ): Study Notes for AS/A Level Chinese (9680)
欢迎来到数量词组的世界！ (Welcome to the World of Quantity Phrases!)
你好！In Chinese grammar, words don't just exist in isolation—they team up to form phrases (词组). This chapter focuses on one of the most fundamental and important phrase types: the 数量词组 (Quantity Phrase).
Why is this important? Because if you want to count anything accurately in Chinese, from people and books to actions and trips, you need to master this structure. It shows examiners you have a deep, consolidated understanding of how Chinese quantifies the world. Let’s dive in!
第一部分：数量词组的基本结构 (Part I: The Basic Structure)
A Quantity Phrase is built by combining two specific types of words you studied in the 词类 (Word Class) section: a Numeral (数词) and a Classifier (量词).
1. 核心公式 (The Core Formula)
The structure of the Quantity Phrase (数量词组) itself is straightforward:
数词 (Numeral) + 量词 (Classifier)
When this phrase modifies a noun (which is its main function), the full structure looks like this:
Analogy: Think of the classifier (量词) as the specific container or unit needed to hold or describe the noun. You can’t just say "Three Water"; you must say "Three Glasses of Water." In Chinese, almost every noun needs its own specific "container."
2. 构成要素详解 (Detailed Breakdown of Components)
(a) 数词 (Shùcí - Numerals)
These are words that express specific numbers or indefinite amounts.
- Specific Numbers: 一 (one), 二/两 (two), 三 (three), 十 (ten), 百 (hundred).
- Indefinite/Approximate Quantities: 几 (a few, usually less than ten), 些 (some), 半 (half).
When counting objects, always use 两 (liǎng) when the number is two, especially before a classifier. Use 二 (èr) when listing numbers, counting sequentially, or in larger numbers (e.g., 22).
Example: 两本书 (Two books) vs. 房间号是二零二 (The room number is 202).
(b) 量词 (Liàngcí - Classifiers/Measure Words)
This is the soul of the Quantity Phrase and often the hardest part for students. Classifiers are divided into two main categories:
i. 名量词 (Míng Liàngcí - Nominal Classifiers)
Used for counting objects, people, and places. They categorize nouns.
- 通用量词 (General Classifier): 个 (gè - used for many general objects, people, or abstract concepts).
- 专用量词 (Specific Classifiers):
- For long, thin objects: 条 (tiáo - e.g., 一条鱼, 一条路)
- For flat objects/paper: 张 (zhāng - e.g., 一张纸, 一张桌子)
- For sets/books: 本 (běn - e.g., 一本书)
- For pairs/utensils: 双 (shuāng - e.g., 一双鞋)
ii. 动量词 (Dòng Liàngcí - Verbal Classifiers)
Used for counting the frequency or number of times an action occurs.
- Frequency: 次 (cì - e.g., 跑了三次 - ran three times)
- Round/Turn: 趟 (tàng - e.g., 去一趟超市 - go to the supermarket once)
- Verb repetition: 遍 (biàn - e.g., 读一遍 - read it once through)
Always remember the order is fixed: Number first, Classifier second.
Bad Grammar: *书三本
Good Grammar: 三本书 (The Q-Phrase 三本 modifies the noun 书)
第二部分：数量词组的功能与应用 (Part II: Functions and Applications)
As a phrase type (词组), the Quantity Phrase functions primarily to modify other components within a larger sentence structure.
1. 作定语 (Zuò Dìngyǔ - Functioning as an Attribute/Modifier)
This is the most common function. The 数量词组 acts as an attribute (定语) describing or limiting a noun (中心语) that follows it. It tells us "how many" of that noun there are.
-
数量词组 + 名词
Example 1: 我买了两张票 (I bought two tickets).
(两张 is the 数量词组, modifying 票.) -
指示代词 + 数量词组 + 名词 (Often combined with demonstratives like 这/那)
Example 2: 这三位老师都很优秀 (These three teachers are very outstanding).
(三位 is the 数量词组, modifying 老师.)
Did you know? Unlike the 偏正词组 (Attributive-Head Phrase) where the modifier often uses 的, the 数量词组 never uses 的 when directly modifying a noun!
(e.g., *两本的书 – WRONG!)
2. 作补语 (Zuò Bǔyǔ - Functioning as a Complement)
When a verbal classifier (动量词) or a duration/frequency quantity is used, the 数量词组 often follows the verb, acting as a complement (补语) to describe the result, duration, or frequency of the action.
-
作动量补语 (Action Frequency Complement)
Structure: 动词 + 数量词组
Example 1: 她去过北京三次 (She has been to Beijing three times). -
作时量补语 (Duration Complement)
Structure: 动词 + 数量词组 (often using classifiers like 年, 个月, 分钟)
Example 2: 我们谈了一个小时 (We talked for one hour).
3. 作状语 (Zuò Zhuàngyǔ - Functioning as an Adverbial)
Sometimes, especially when classifiers are reduplicated (AA pattern), the resulting quantity phrase functions adverbially (状语), modifying the verb to express "every" or "one by one."
-
量词重叠 (Reduplication of Classifiers)
Structure: AA Pattern 量词 + (地) + 动词
Example: 孩子们个个都很开心 (The children, every single one of them, are very happy).
🚨 易错点分析 (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
1. Confusion between 数量词组 and 偏正词组 (Attributive Phrase)
The 数量词组 is a type of 偏正词组, but it follows very specific rules about order and determiners.
2. Misplacing the Quantity Phrase (for duration/frequency)
When specifying *duration* (how long the action lasted), the Q-phrase usually comes after the verb as a complement, not before as an adverbial.
Mistake: *我在三个小时写完了作业 (I completed homework in three hours.)
Correct: 我写完了作业三个小时 (I completed homework, [which took] three hours.)
3. Using the Wrong Classifier (量词)
Remember that classifiers are specific. Never use 个 if a more specific classifier exists. This shows low competency.
Example: Instead of *一个汽车 (one car), use 一辆汽车. Instead of *一个信 (one letter), use 一封信.
第三部分：总结与提升 (Part III: Summary and Enhancement)
Mastering the 数量词组 is essential for precision in Chinese. It’s not just about counting; it’s about categorizing the world based on shape, size, function, and context.
数量词组 Key Takeaway
The Quantity Phrase (数量词组) is built from 数词 + 量词. Its main function is to modify a noun as an attribute (定语), appearing before the noun (e.g., 五只狗). It can also function as a complement (补语) following a verb to indicate frequency or duration (e.g., 吃了一次). Pay extra attention to the correct usage of specific classifiers (量词) to demonstrate a high level of language competence.
Don't worry if matching the correct classifier seems tricky at first—even native speakers occasionally mix them up! Practice reading authentic Chinese texts, and those classifier patterns will naturally stick in your memory. 加油！