Classifier / Measure Word
What kind of unit are we counting?
المعنى
A word or marker used with numbers or quantity to classify the noun by shape, type, animacy, function, or measurement unit.
كيفية التعرّف عليه
Notice whether numbers require an extra word before the noun.
أمثلة
piece|cup|sheet|person|classifier
three cups of water|one piece of paper
I bought three cups of coffee.
Visual guide
counting a noun: number -> unit/class -> noun 3 -> cups -> coffee 1 -> piece -> paper classifier answers: "count as what kind/unit?"
Counting patterns: A) 3 books number + noun B) 3 CL book number + class + noun C) 3 cups of water number + measure + of + noun Ask: required? which class?
منظور اللغة
في اللغة الأم
Arabic uses measure words and quantity nouns, but not a general classifier system like Chinese or Japanese.
ثلاثة أكواب من الماء.
Three cups of water.
في لغة التعلّم
Classifiers/counters such as জন,টা,খানা are common with numerals and definiteness.
দুইজন ছাত্র এসেছে।
Two students have come.
Learners may omit classifiers or choose a classifier that sounds unnatural.
New in your learning language
This block is more central in your learning language. Give it extra focus in examples and practice.