Classifier / Measure Word
What kind of unit are we counting?
意味
A word or marker used with numbers or quantity to classify the noun by shape, type, animacy, function, or measurement unit.
見分け方
Notice whether numbers require an extra word before the noun.
例
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?
言語別ビュー
母語では
Counters are highly visible with numbers and depend on the type or shape of the noun.
コーヒーを三杯買った。
I bought three cups of coffee.
学習中の言語では
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.
Same block, different coding
Both languages use this block strongly, but they signal it differently. Focus on form changes, not only meaning.