measure word / noun HSK 2
(measure word for items, matters, clothing) · piece · item · matter
Meaning
件 is primarily used as a measure word for counting individual items, particularly clothing, luggage, documents, and abstract matters or events. It emphasizes the discrete, countable nature of things. As a standalone noun, it can mean 'piece' or 'item'.
Usage
This is one of the most common measure words in Mandarin. Use it for upper-body clothing (shirts, coats, sweaters), pieces of luggage, documents,件事 (matters/affairs), and件作品 (works of art). Native speakers use it frequently in both spoken and written Chinese across all registers.
Examples
- 01我买了三件毛衣。.I bought three sweaters.
- 02这件事很重要。.This matter is very important.
Common collocations
- 一件衣服a piece of clothing
- 一件事a matter, an affair
- 这件事this matter
- 几件行李several pieces of luggage
Origin
The character 件 combines 亻(person radical) and 牛 (ox), originally suggesting something that can be distinguished or separated, like counting cattle. Over time it evolved into a general counter for discrete objects.