一件
yī jiàn
In Chinese, "one piece" (referring to an item of clothing) is translated as 一件 (yī jiàn).
The phrase is used to denote a single item of clothing. While the English phrase "One Piece" refers to the famous anime and manga, in informal Chinese contexts, that series is referred to as 海贼王.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the number 一 (one) and the classifier 件 (piece/item).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the anime "One Piece" is commonly referred to as 航海王.
How does it change in a sentence?
The character 件 is a specific classifier used for items of clothing, such as shirts, coats or dresses.
How do you pronounce it?
yī jiàn
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes mistakenly use only 一 (one) before a noun. In Chinese, you must include the classifier 件 to be grammatically correct.
Did you know?
- If you are counting trousers or pants, you cannot use 件. Instead, you must use 条, which is the classifier for long, thin, flexible objects like rivers and fish.
- While 件 counts clothes, it also counts 'matters' or 'incidents'. You can use the same word to describe 'one piece' of clothing and 'one piece' of news or a legal case.
- If you are talking about 'one piece' of a puzzle or a 'piece' of a broken vase, you would not use 件. Instead, you use 块, which refers to chunks or fragments.
Examples in context
- 昨晚我看了好几集 海贼王 。Last night, I watched several episodes of One Piece.
- 航海王 一直是我的最爱。One Piece has always been my favorite.
- 我买了一件衬衫。Wǒ mǎile yī jiàn chènshān.I bought a shirt.
- 请给我一件外套。Qǐng gěi wǒ yī jiàn wàitào.Please give me a coat.
Example conversation
At a clothing store, looking for a gift.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，你想买哪件衣服？Jiāyí, nǐ xiǎng mǎi nǎ jiàn yīfu?Jiayi, which piece of clothing do you want to buy?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想看那件红色的裙子。Wǒ xiǎng kàn nà jiàn hóngsè de qúnzi.I want to see that red skirt.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这件看起来很适合你。Zhè jiàn kàn qǐlái hěn shìhé nǐ.This one looks very suitable for you.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我就买这一件吧。Nà wǒ jiù mǎi zhè yī jiàn ba.Then I will just buy this one.
