Chinese Class - Day 9

In English we might say "a desk, a book, a building" but in Chinese there are a bunch of different measure words that you pair with specific types of objects. For example there is a measure word you use for things that are round and a different measure word that you use for books. We were a little confused as to which measure word goes with which words so we asked our teacher and the following conversation occurred.

Mike: Teacher, is there a list of measure words that will tell us which word to use?

Teacher: Aah, measure words. They are very important. Aaah. Do not forget.

(long pause)

Mike: Yes we want to learn them. If we do not know what measure word to use. Is there a place that we can look to find the answer?

Teacher: Aaaah...yes. I think that it will be very good to remember these ah words for the exam. It is very important.... that you know these words.... so that you can perform well on the exam.

Mike: Mmmm. I agree, but we don't know the measure words. In our text book is there a list to study?

Teacher: Ahh, yes. In Chinese, measure words are very important. And for the test. Do not forget.

(long pause)

Mike: Ok, thanks.

(Mike and Emily walk away smiling.)

We asked an American classmate who told us to look in chapter three.