块
In Chinese, the phrase "pieces" is expressed as 块.
The term 块 is a classifier used to count discrete pieces or chunks of something, such as cake, stone or soap. In spoken Chinese, it is also used as a colloquial measure word for the basic unit of currency (Yuan).
Which one should you use?
While 块 refers to a solid piece or chunk, it is not used for thin slices. For thin slices of fruit or bread, the classifier 片 is more appropriate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term for pieces is 件 (gin-6). In Taiwanese Hokkien, you can use 片 (piàⁿ) for pieces.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, 块 acts as a classifier to count discrete pieces or chunks.
Did you know?
- If you want to describe a piece of clothing, you should use 件 instead of 块, even if the garment is in one solid part.
- The simplified version of 块 replaces the complex component 鬼 with 夬. This change was part of a larger movement to make the written language more accessible.
- The classifier 块 is used for 'chunks' of soap or stone, but not for pieces of paper. Paper requires its own specific classifier, showing how Chinese categorizes objects by physical properties.
Examples in context
- 进入地球大气层后，小行星分裂成了无数的小块。The asteroid broke up into small pieces as it entered Earth's atmosphere.This sentence shows how 块 is used to describe an asteroid breaking into small pieces.Tatoeba #1749191 by sadhen, translation #626512 by darinmex
- 那有两块蛋糕。There were two pieces of cake.This sentence uses 块 to count two pieces of cake.Tatoeba #334594 by fucongcong, translation #1097173 by ArizonaJim
- 我吃了三块蛋糕。I ate three pieces of cake.This sentence uses 块 to count three pieces of cake.Tatoeba #841833 by eastasiastudent, translation #841835 by CM
- 我买了六个苹果。I bought six pieces of apples.
- 请给我两枚邮票。Please give me two pieces of stamps.
- 我想吃一块蛋糕。I want to eat a piece of cake.
Example conversation
At a snack shop, Haoran is asking Xiaowen for a snack.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，我能吃一块饼干吗？Xiǎowén, wǒ néng chī yī kuài bǐnggān ma?Xiaowen, can I eat a piece of cookie?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen当然可以，浩然。Dāngrán kěyǐ, Hàorán.Of course you can, Haoran.
- 浩然 Haoran这块饼干看起来很好吃。Zhè kuài bǐnggān kàn qǐlái hěn hǎochī.This piece of cookie looks delicious.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是啊，快尝尝吧。Shì a, kuài chángchang ba.Yes, hurry and try it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 块, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
