Mandarin Chinese 1 Quiz: Demonstratives And Measure Words
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Demonstratives And Measure WordsQuestion 1 of 10

A student wants to say 'those three books' in Mandarin. Which of the following is grammatically correct?

那三本书 (Nà sān běn shū)
那书三本 (Nà shū sān běn)
三那本书 (Sān nà běn shū)
那本三书 (Nà běn sān shū)
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Mandarin Chinese 1 Quiz

Mandarin Chinese 1 Quiz: Demonstratives And Measure Words

Practice Demonstratives And Measure Words in Mandarin Chinese 1 with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Demonstratives And Measure Words, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Mandarin Chinese 1.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A student wants to say 'those three books' in Mandarin. Which of the following is grammatically correct?

  1. 那三本书 (Nà sān běn shū) (correct answer)
  2. 那书三本 (Nà shū sān běn)
  3. 三那本书 (Sān nà běn shū)
  4. 那本三书 (Nà běn sān shū)
Explanation: When describing a noun in Mandarin, word order follows a strict pattern: demonstrative → number → measure word → noun. This is the backbone of noun phrases in Chinese, and getting this sequence wrong is one of the most common beginner mistakes. In this phrase, "those three books," you have four components: 那 (nà = those), 三 (sān = three), 本 (běn = measure word for books), and 书 (shū = book). Plugging these into the correct order gives you 那三本书, which is exactly what option A provides. Notice that the measure word 本 sits between the number and the noun — this is mandatory in Mandarin, as you almost never use a number directly before a noun without its measure word. Option B (那书三本) places the noun before the number and measure word, which completely reverses the structure. Option C (三那本书) puts the number before the demonstrative, which is never grammatically acceptable — demonstratives always come first. Option D (那本三书) swaps the number and measure word, putting 本 before 三, which breaks the rule that numbers precede measure words. A helpful memory trick: think of the order as zooming in — you start broad (that/this), then specify how many, then classify the type of object (measure word), then name it. It's like saying "that → three → [flat/bound thing] → book." On this exam, questions about measure words often test whether you know both the correct measure word and its correct position. Memorize common measure words (本, 个, 张, 条) alongside their noun categories to stay sharp.

Question 2

Which measure word correctly completes the phrase 这 猫 (zhè   māo), meaning 'this cat'?

  1. 本 (běn)
  2. 张 (zhāng)
  3. 只 (zhī) (correct answer)
  4. 条 (tiáo)
Explanation: In Mandarin, measure words (量词, liàngcí) are required between a demonstrative like 这 (zhè, "this") and a noun. The key is that different measure words pair with specific categories of nouns — there's no one-size-fits-all option. When you see a question like this, ask yourself: what category does the noun belong to? 猫 (māo, "cat") is a small animal, and the correct measure word for most small animals — cats, birds, fish, rabbits — is 只 (zhī). So 这只猫 literally means "this [small-animal] cat," which we translate as "this cat." Choice C is correct. Here's why the other options don't work: A) 本 (běn) is used for bound objects like books, magazines, and notebooks — things with pages. Using it with an animal makes no sense in Chinese. B) 张 (zhāng) applies to flat, sheet-like objects such as paper, tables, or maps. It describes shape, not living creatures. D) 条 (tiáo) is a common trap because it is used for some animals — specifically long, flexible ones like fish (鱼) and snakes (蛇). Students sometimes confuse 条 and 只 for animals, but 条 emphasizes a long, winding shape, which doesn't apply to cats. A helpful study strategy: group measure words by category. 只 → small/common animals; 条 → long, flexible animals or objects; 张 → flat objects; 本 → bound volumes. When you encounter a new noun, consciously ask which "shape or category" it belongs to — that habit will carry you far on measure word questions.

Question 3

A student writes: '我想买两个椅子。' (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi liǎng gè yǐzi.) — 'I want to buy two chairs.' What is wrong with this sentence?

  1. The demonstrative 这 or 那 must be included before 两个 whenever a number is used with a noun.
  2. The measure word 个 is incorrect for chairs; 把 (bǎ) should be used instead of 个 for chairs. (correct answer)
  3. 两 (liǎng) cannot be used with measure words; 二 (èr) must be used in all counting contexts.
  4. The noun 椅子 must come before the measure word in this sentence structure because it is a furniture item.
Explanation: When working with numbers and nouns in Mandarin, you must always think about measure words (量词, liàngcí). Every noun in Chinese requires a specific measure word when paired with a number — and choosing the wrong one is a grammatical error, even if the sentence feels understandable. For chairs (椅子), the correct measure word is 把 (bǎ), which is used for objects with handles or objects you can "grasp" — like chairs, umbrellas, and knives. The correct sentence should be: 我想买两把椅子。The student's use of 个 (gè) is the error, making B the correct answer. Here's why the other options are wrong: A is false — demonstratives like 这 or 那 are optional and are never grammatically required when using a number with a noun. Saying 两把椅子 without a demonstrative is perfectly correct. C is a common confusion, but it's backwards. 二 (èr) is used when counting in a sequence (like reading numbers aloud), while 两 (liǎng) is the correct form when pairing a number with a measure word — so 两把椅子 is right, and 二把椅子 would actually be the error. D is simply not a rule in Mandarin grammar; the word order is always number + measure word + noun, regardless of whether the noun refers to furniture or anything else. As a study strategy, memorize measure words alongside vocabulary, not separately. When you learn 椅子, also learn 把椅子 as a unit. Common traps involve using the generic 个 for everything — but many specific nouns, especially furniture and tools, require their own dedicated measure words.

Question 4

Which of the following sentences uses BOTH a demonstrative and a measure word in the correct pattern?

  1. 这纸张很白。(Zhè zhǐzhāng hěn bái.) — 'This paper is very white.'
  2. 张那纸很白。(Zhāng nà zhǐ hěn bái.) — 'That paper is very white.'
  3. 那纸很白张。(Nà zhǐ hěn bái zhāng.) — 'That paper is very white.'
  4. 那张纸很白。(Nà zhāng zhǐ hěn bái.) — 'That paper is very white.' (correct answer)
Explanation: When a Mandarin sentence uses a demonstrative (this/that — 这/那) alongside a noun, you almost always need a measure word between them. The fixed pattern is: Demonstrative + Measure Word + Noun. Think of the measure word as a required "bridge" — you simply cannot skip it in standard Mandarin grammar. Option D, 那张纸很白, follows this pattern perfectly: 那 (that) + 张 (the correct measure word for flat, sheet-like objects like paper) + 纸 (paper) + 很白 (is very white). Every element is in the right position, making D the correct answer. Option A fails because it omits the measure word entirely, jumping straight from 这 to 纸张. Even though 纸张 is a valid compound word for "paper," you still cannot use a demonstrative directly before a noun without inserting a measure word first. Option B scrambles the word order entirely — 张 appears before 那 (the demonstrative), putting the measure word in front of the pointer word rather than after it, which inverts the required sequence. Option C moves 张 to the end of the sentence, after the adjective phrase 很白, which is grammatically nonsensical; measure words must sit directly between the demonstrative and the noun, not float elsewhere. A reliable memory trick: picture a sandwich — the demonstrative is one slice of bread, the noun is the other, and the measure word is the filling in the middle. On exam questions like this, scan each answer to confirm that order (Demonstrative → Measure Word → Noun) before anything else.

Question 5

A student hears the phrase '那匹马' (nà pǐ mǎ). What does 匹 (pǐ) indicate in this phrase, and what is the full meaning?

  1. 匹 is a demonstrative indicating distance from the speaker, so combined with 那 and 马 the phrase means 'a horse that is far away from here.'
  2. 匹 is a number classifier equivalent to 'one,' so the phrase means 'that one horse standing alone' and implies there is only a single horse present.
  3. 匹 is the measure word for all four-legged animals, so the phrase means 'that animal,' with 马 clarifying that the animal in question is a horse.
  4. 匹 is the specific measure word used for horses, so combined with the demonstrative 那 and the noun 马, the phrase means 'that horse.' (correct answer)
Explanation: When you encounter a Chinese noun phrase like '那匹马,' you should immediately recognize that Chinese grammar requires a measure word (量词, liàngcí) between a demonstrative or number and a noun. The key skill being tested here is knowing which measure word pairs with which noun. In Mandarin, you cannot simply say "that horse" by combining 那 and 马 directly — you need a measure word in between. 匹 (pǐ) is the conventional measure word specifically designated for horses (and occasionally other large animals like mules). So 那匹马 breaks down as: 那 (that) + 匹 (measure word for horses) + 马 (horse), giving you the complete meaning "that horse" — making D the correct answer. Answer A incorrectly claims 匹 is a demonstrative indicating distance. That role already belongs to 那 itself — 匹 plays a completely different grammatical role and carries no spatial meaning whatsoever. Answer B misidentifies 匹 as meaning "one," confusing it with the numeral 一 (yī). While measure words do work with numbers (一匹马 = "one horse"), 匹 itself is not a number and does not imply a single horse standing alone. Answer C contains a tempting but false generalization — 匹 is not the measure word for all four-legged animals. Different animals take different measure words: 条 (tiáo) for fish and snakes, 只 (zhī) for birds and small animals, 头 (tóu) for livestock like cattle. Measure words in Chinese are specific, not universal categories. Study tip: Build a measure word chart pairing common nouns with their correct classifiers — 匹 for horses is a classic exam pairing worth memorizing specifically.

Question 6

A student is asked to fill in the blank: '我有 朋友。' to mean 'I have a friend' (using the number one with the appropriate measure word).

Which option correctly completes the sentence with the right number and measure word?

  1. 一位 (yī wèi) — 位 is a respectful measure word appropriate for people, giving 'I have one friend.' (correct answer)
  2. 一张 (yī zhāng) — 张 is the standard measure word for people in casual speech.
  3. 一条 (yī tiáo) — 条 is used for people when expressing close personal relationships.
  4. 一匹 (yī pǐ) — 匹 is the general measure word for both people and animals in Mandarin.
Explanation: In Mandarin, measure words (量词, liàngcí) are required between a number and a noun — you can't simply say "一朋友." The key is matching the right measure word to the noun's category. For people, several measure words exist, but they carry different connotations and appropriateness levels. A (一位) is correct. 位 (wèi) is a polite, respectful measure word used for people, making it perfectly natural for referring to a friend. Saying 我有一位朋友 is both grammatically accurate and socially appropriate — it's the standard way to express "I have one friend." The three distractors each represent common measure word confusions. B (一张) is wrong because 张 (zhāng) is used for flat objects like paper, tickets, or tables — never for people. Associating 张 with people is a classic beginner mix-up. C (一条) is wrong because 条 (tiáo) applies to long, flexible things like fish, rivers, or noodles — the claim that it signals "close personal relationships" is completely fabricated. D (一匹) is wrong because 匹 (pǐ) is specifically used for horses and similar large animals, not people or animals in general. A useful study strategy: group measure words by the physical or social category of their nouns. 张 → flat objects, 条 → long/flexible things, 匹 → horses, and 位 → people (respectfully). When you encounter a measure word question, mentally ask "what type of thing is this noun?" and match it to the correct category rather than guessing.

Question 7

Which sentence demonstrates an error specifically in the use of a demonstrative or measure word?

  1. 这本书很有意思。(Zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi.) — 'This book is very interesting.'
  2. 那只狗很可爱。(Nà zhī gǒu hěn kě'ài.) — 'That dog is very cute.'
  3. 这张猫很小。(Zhè zhāng māo hěn xiǎo.) — 'This cat is very small.' (correct answer)
  4. 那个学生很聪明。(Nà gè xuéshēng hěn cōngmíng.) — 'That student is very smart.'
Explanation: In Mandarin, measure words (量词, liàngcí) are required between a demonstrative (这/那) and a noun. Crucially, each noun category has its own specific measure word — and using the wrong one is a grammatical error even if everything else looks correct. When you see a question like this, check whether the measure word matches the noun it accompanies. Option C, 这张猫很小, is the error. The measure word 张 (zhāng) is used for flat, sheet-like objects — think paper, tables, tickets, or photos. A cat (猫) is an animal, so it requires 只 (zhī), the measure word for most small animals. The correct sentence should be 这只猫很小. Using 张 with an animal makes no logical or grammatical sense in Chinese, making C the clear mistake. Options A, B, and D are all correct. In A, 本 (běn) is the appropriate measure word for books — it refers to bound volumes, so 这本书 is perfectly natural. In B, 只 (zhī) correctly pairs with 狗 (dog), since 只 applies to animals, making 那只狗 grammatically sound. In D, 个 (gè) is used with 学生 (student) — 个 is the most general measure word in Mandarin and commonly applies to people, so 那个学生 is correct. As a study tip, memorize common measure word pairings in categories: 本 for books, 只 for animals, 张 for flat objects, and 个 as a general fallback for people and many abstract nouns. When in doubt on the exam, ask yourself whether the measure word's category logically matches the noun.

Question 8

A teacher asks students to translate: 'I want these two cups of tea.'

Which Mandarin sentence correctly translates the teacher's phrase?

  1. 我想要这两杯茶。(Wǒ xiǎng yào zhè liǎng bēi chá.) (correct answer)
  2. 我想要两这杯茶。(Wǒ xiǎng yào liǎng zhè bēi chá.)
  3. 我想要这两茶杯。(Wǒ xiǎng yào zhè liǎng chá bēi.)
  4. 我想要杯这两茶。(Wǒ xiǎng yào bēi zhè liǎng chá.)
Explanation: When translating a phrase like "these two cups of tea" into Mandarin, you need to understand how demonstratives, numbers, and measure words stack together before a noun. The correct word order in Mandarin for this type of noun phrase is: Demonstrative + Number + Measure Word + Noun (这/那 + number + measure word + noun). Answer A, 我想要这两杯茶, follows this exact structure: 这 (zhè = "these") + 两 (liǎng = "two") + 杯 (bēi = "cup/glass") + 茶 (chá = "tea"). This perfectly mirrors "these two cups of tea," making A the correct translation. Answer B places 两 before 这, giving you 两这杯茶 — but in Mandarin, the demonstrative always comes before the number. Swapping their positions produces an ungrammatical phrase that no native speaker would use. Answer C uses 茶杯 instead of 杯茶. While 茶杯 is actually a compound noun meaning "teacup" (the object), the sentence needs 杯茶 — the measure word 杯 followed by the beverage 茶 — to express "cups of tea" as a quantity. C changes the meaning entirely. Answer D scrambles the word order to 杯这两茶, placing the measure word first and completely breaking Mandarin grammar rules. There is no logical basis for this arrangement. A helpful memory trick: think of it as zooming in — you point first (这), then count (两), then specify the container (杯), then name the item (茶). Demonstrative → Number → Measure Word → Noun is a pattern that appears constantly in Mandarin, so mastering it will help you across many similar questions.

Question 9

Lin is pointing to a pen that is on the teacher's desk across the room and says: ' 钢笔是我的。' (That pen is mine.)

Which demonstrative correctly fills the blank, and what measure word should accompany it?

  1. 这个 (zhège) — 这 is used when objects belong to the speaker, and 个 is the general measure word suitable for all objects including pens
  2. 那支 (nà zhī) — 那 is used because the pen is far from the speaker, and 支 is the specific measure word for thin, cylindrical objects like pens (correct answer)
  3. 那个 (nàge) — 那 is correct because the pen is far away, and 个 serves as a general measure word acceptable for any noun including pens
  4. 这支 (zhè zhī) — 支 is the correct measure word for pens, and 这 is used because the speaker is claiming ownership of the pen
Explanation: When you see a question about demonstratives in Chinese, focus on two things: distance and measure words. These are independent decisions you must make correctly — getting one right but the other wrong will still cost you the point. In Chinese, 这 (zhè) points to something near the speaker, while 那 (nà) points to something far from the speaker. Since Lin is pointing to a pen across the room on the teacher's desk, the object is clearly distant — so 那 is required. This immediately eliminates choices A and D, which both use 这. Now for the measure word: Chinese requires specific measure words (量词) for different categories of objects. 支 (zhī) is the correct measure word for thin, elongated, cylindrical objects — pens, pencils, candles, and chopsticks all use 支. This makes B the correct answer: 那支 (nà zhī), meaning "that [pen]." Choice C uses 那 correctly (far distance), but substitutes 个 (gè), which is a general-purpose measure word. While 个 is widely used and sometimes accepted in casual speech, it is not the specific or standard measure word for pens — and on an exam testing precision, 支 is the right choice. Choice A doubles down on two errors: 这 (wrong — implies nearness) and 个 (imprecise — not the standard measure word for pens). Choice D uses 支 correctly but pairs it with 这, confusing physical proximity with ownership — ownership has nothing to do with which demonstrative you use. Study tip: Build a flashcard set pairing common objects with their measure words — 支 for writing instruments, 本 for books, 张 for flat objects. Measure word precision is a frequent test target.

Question 10

A student is shopping at a Chinese market and wants to ask about an item close to them versus one far away.

Which sentence correctly asks 'How much does this apple cost?' where the apple is right in front of the speaker?

  1. 那个苹果多少钱？(Nà ge píngguǒ duōshǎo qián?)
  2. 这个苹果多少钱？(Zhè ge píngguǒ duōshǎo qián?) (correct answer)
  3. 这苹果个多少钱？(Zhè píngguǒ ge duōshǎo qián?)
  4. 个这苹果多少钱？(Gè zhè píngguǒ duōshǎo qián?)
Explanation: When shopping in China, two of the most essential words you'll use are 这 (zhè) meaning "this" (nearby) and 那 (nà) meaning "that" (farther away). These demonstrative pronouns pair with a measure word before the noun — and in Mandarin, word order is strict: demonstrative → measure word → noun. For apples, the correct measure word is 个 (gè), giving you the pattern: 这个/那个 + noun + 多少钱？ This is the standard structure for asking prices in Chinese. B) 这个苹果多少钱？ is correct because it follows this exact pattern: 这个 (this + measure word) + 苹果 (apple) + 多少钱 (how much money?). Since the apple is right in front of the speaker, 这 is the appropriate demonstrative. A) 那个苹果多少钱？ uses the correct grammatical structure but the wrong demonstrative. 那 refers to something far from the speaker, so this would mean "How much does that apple cost?" — the opposite of what the question asks. C) 这苹果个多少钱？ scrambles the word order by placing 个 after the noun instead of before it. In Mandarin, the measure word must come between the demonstrative and the noun, not after it. D) 个这苹果多少钱？ places the measure word before the demonstrative, which is completely reversed. The correct sequence is always demonstrative → measure word → noun, never the other way around. A handy tip: memorize the formula 这/那 + 个 + [noun] + 多少钱？ as a shopping sentence template — you can swap in any item and instantly ask its price.