Structure:

V + Number + M

Meaning:

The grammar pattern is very similar to English. For example, “看三次” and “saw three times” mirror each other in structure. In Chinese sentences, these measure words can either come after the verb (as a complement) or before the word (as an adverb). You should also know that, like nouns, some verbs have special measure words to go with them. The basic verbal measure word, however, is 次.

Examples:

1. 背 二 十 遍

    bèi èr shí bià

    Recite twenty times.

2. 画 七 幅

    huà qī f

    Draw 7 paintings.

3. 亲 一 下

    qīn yī xi

    Kiss once.

4. 打 他 三 下

    dǎ tā sān xi

    Hit him three times.

5. 做 两 次[/cn

    zuò liǎnɡ c

    Do it twice.

6. 拍 六 下

    [cn]pāi liù xi

    Take it six times.

7. 写 十 页

    xiě shí y

    Write ten pages.

8. 跳 五 次

    tiào wǔ c

    Jump five times.