Measure words: 个, 本, 块 — Chinese grammar (HSK 1)

Number + Measure word + Noun

When you count nouns in Chinese you must insert a measure word between the number and the noun, a bit like "three cups of tea" or "two sheets of paper" in English, except it applies to everything. 个 (ge) is the all-purpose measure word for people and most objects, 本 is for books, and 块 is for money. 这 and 那 also take a measure word: 这个 (this one), 那本书 (that book).

Examples

这是一本书。 Zhè shì yī běn shū.	This is a book.
我买三个苹果。 Wǒ mǎi sān ge píngguǒ.	I am buying three apples.
那个人是我的老师。 Nà ge rén shì wǒ de lǎoshī.	That person is my teacher.

Tip: When in doubt, use 个; a wrong measure word is understood, a missing one sounds broken.