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Nominal
Classifiers
In Chinese,
it is common to put a classifier between a number and a noun. Sometimes
it is omited and there is not a problem. However, in the formal language
a classifier is necessary.
A classifier
is not common in western language and is a complicated aspect of the
Chinese language. Although classifiers aren't as important as other
words, their correct use indicates a good knowledge of the language.
In some cases
a classifier is not needed, we will teach you this later.
For example:
One
person
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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Yi1
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Ge4
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Ren2
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一 |
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个 |
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人 |
Classifiers
个
(ge4)
Is the most common classifier. If you don't know which classifier
to use, you can use this classifier (5 out of 10 times you will
be right).
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支
(zhi1)
Is applied to long and thin objects. For example: pen, fountain
pen, pencil, etc.
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张
(zhang1)
Is normally applied to flat objects or objects that have a certain
sized surface. For example: paper, newspaper, etc.
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把
(ba3)
Is
generally applied to objects that have a handle or that fit in
the hand. For example: knife, scissors, chair, etc.
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本
(ben3)
Applies to publications: books, magazines...
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辆
(liang4)
Applies to vehicles with wheels.
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包
(bao1)
Packet. Applies to things that have been packaged up.
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双
(shuang1)
Applies
to pairs of objects (for example, shoes, gloves, socks, etc).
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件
(jian4)
Applies to certain items of clothing (shirts, t-shirts, etc).
But not trousers or skirts.
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台
(tai2)
Applies to appliances. For example: television, computer, fridge,
etc.
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块
(kuai4)
Applies to objects that have been divided into portions. For example:
meat, fabric, etc.
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杯
(bei1)
Glass, cup, etc. Applied to drinks.
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瓶
(ping2)
Bottle. Drinks in a bottle.
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听
(ting1)
Tin. Drinks in a can.
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盒
(he2)
Box, small box
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条
(tiao2)
Applies to large and thin objects. For example: towel, fish, skirt,
trousers, etc.
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节
(jie2)
Applies to things or articles that can be divided.
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套
(tao4) Applies
to things that go togther. For example: suit, etc.
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Examples:
One
person
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Yi1
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Ge4
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Ren2
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| - |
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一 |
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个 |
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人 |
One pen
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Yi1
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Zhi1
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Yuan2zhu1bi3
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- |
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一 |
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支 |
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圆珠笔 |
Two newspapers
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Liang3
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Zhang1
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Bao4zhi3
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- |
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两 |
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张 |
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报纸 |
Three
magazines
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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San1
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Ben3
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Za2zhi4
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- |
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三 |
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本 |
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杂志 |
Four chairs
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Si4
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Ba3
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Yi3zi5
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- |
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四 |
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把 |
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椅子 |
Five cars
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Wu3 |
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Liang4 |
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Che1 |
- |
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五 |
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辆 |
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车 |
Six pairs
of trousers
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Liu4
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Tiao2
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Ku4zi5
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- |
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六 |
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条 |
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裤子 |
Seven
packets of cigarettes
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Qi1
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He2
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Yan1
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- |
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七 |
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盒 |
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烟 |
Eight
shirts
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Ba1
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Jian4
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Chen4shan1
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- |
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八 |
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件 |
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衬衫 |
Nine drums
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Jiu3
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Jie2
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Dian4chi2
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- |
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九 |
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节 |
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电池 |
Ten pairs
of shoes
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Shi2
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Shuang1
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Xie2
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十 |
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双 |
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鞋 |
Eleven
computers
number
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+
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classifier
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+
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noun
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| - |
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Shi2yi1
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Tai2
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Dian4nao3
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- |
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十一 |
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台 |
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电脑 |
Vocabulary
English
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Chinese
(phonetic) |
Chinese
(written) |
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Something
to write with (pencil, pen, etc) |
Bi3
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笔
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Pen
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Yuan2zhu1bi3
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圆珠笔
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Fountain
pen |
Gang1bi2
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钢笔
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Pencil
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Qian1bi3
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铅笔
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Newspaper
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Bao4zhi3
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报纸 |
Chair
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Yi3zi5
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椅子
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Scissors
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Jian3zi5
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剪子
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Book
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Shu1
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书
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Magazine
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Za2zhi4
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杂志
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Car |
Che1
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车
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Computer
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Dian4nao3
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电脑
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Television
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Dian4shi4
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电视
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Rubber
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Xiang4pi2
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橡皮
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Shoes
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Xie2
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鞋
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Socks,
tights |
Wa4zi5
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袜子
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Drum
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Dian4chi2
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电池
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Shirt
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Chen4shan1
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衬衫
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Skirt
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Qun2zi5
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裙子
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Trousers
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Ku4zi5
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裤子
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Cigarette
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Yan1
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烟
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Chinese
Character of the day
男
nan2 (Man):
In the previous lesson we have seen that 田
is
field and 力
is
strength.
In the symbol
男
you
join field and strength, which means man..
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