noun / measure word HSK 2
cup · glass · trophy
Meaning
杯 refers to a drinking vessel like a cup or glass, and also serves as the measure word for counting drinks contained in cups. It can also mean trophy or cup in competitive contexts.
Usage
As a noun, 杯 appears in countless compounds for different types of cups (茶杯, 咖啡杯, 酒杯). As a measure word, it's used with 一杯水 (a glass of water), 两杯茶 (two cups of tea). Native speakers use it constantly in daily life when ordering drinks or referring to beverages.
Examples
- 01请给我一杯咖啡。.Please give me a cup of coffee.
- 02他打碎了三个杯子。.He broke three cups.
Measure words
- 个一个杯子
- 只两只茶杯
Common collocations
- 一杯水a glass of water
- 干杯cheers, bottoms up
- 世界杯World Cup
- 举杯to raise a glass
Origin
The character 杯 contains the wood radical 木 on the left, reflecting that cups were traditionally made from wood. The right component 不 serves as a phonetic element.