件 jiàn — measure word for clothes and for matters
jiàn (fourth tone, falling)jian4
measure word for clothes and for matters
HSK 2· HSK 1–4 (classic)measure
Meanings
measure word for clothes and for matters
Counts upper garments — 一件衣服 — and abstract matters — 一件事情. Trousers and skirts take 条 instead, so 件 is not a general clothing measure.
measure
Example sentences
- 我买了两件衣服。我買了兩件衣服。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) mǎile (third tone, dipping) liǎng (third tone, dipping) jiàn (fourth tone, falling) yīfu. (first tone, high and level)···
I bought two items of clothing.
- 我有一件事情要告诉你。我有一件事情要告訴你。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) yǒu (third tone, dipping) yí (second tone, rising) jiàn (fourth tone, falling) shìqing (fourth tone, falling) yào (fourth tone, falling) gàosu (fourth tone, falling) nǐ. (third tone, dipping)···
There’s something I need to tell you.
Common mistakes
Not quite一个衣服
Correct一件衣服
个 is the all-purpose measure word, but clothing has its own. Reaching for 个 here is understood, yet it marks a sentence as learner Chinese straight away.