Measure words: Number + Measure word + Noun

表达数量时，汉语数词后一般要带量词。本课学习表示人或物数量的名量词，如“口、个”等，以及名量结构，如“四口人、两个哥哥”等。 In Chinese a number cannot go straight before a noun; a measure word sits between them. 个 is the most common one. 口 counts the members of a family: 我家有四口人. If the noun is clear, it can be dropped: 四口, 两个.

Examples

• 我家有四口人。

  Wǒ jiā yǒu sì kǒu rén.

  There are four people in my family.

• 我有两个孩子。

  Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè háizi.

  I have two children.

• 您儿子几岁？

  Nín érzi jǐ suì?

  How old is your son?