张 vs 条 (zhāng vs tiáo): flat objects vs long thin objects
Both 张 and 条 are common measure words for objects in Chinese. Use 张 for things with flat surfaces, such as paper, tables, and beds. Use 条 for long, narrow objects, such as fish, roads, and rivers, as well as for abstract items like news and rules.
In Chinese, most nouns require a specific measure word (量词) when counting. 张 (zhāng) is the measure word for flat, two-dimensional objects, such as paper, tables, and photos. 条 (tiáo) is used for long, narrow objects, including animals like fish, roads, rivers, and abstract items like news or laws. Choosing the correct measure word depends on the shape and physical properties of the noun; using the wrong one can sound unnatural.
각각 언제 쓰는지
Use 张 for objects with a flat, extended surface. Common examples include paper (纸), tables (桌子), beds (床), photos (照片), and maps (地图). It can also be used for things that can be spread out or opened, such as a sheet of paper or a blanket.
张 is also used for certain body parts like the face (脸) and mouth (嘴), as they have a flat or open surface. It does not apply to abstract items like news—use 条 instead.
Use 条 for objects that are long and narrow in shape. This includes animals like fish (鱼), roads (路), rivers (河), pants (裤子), and towels (毛巾). It also extends to abstract things that are seen as a continuous line or item, such as news (新闻), messages (消息), and laws (法律).
For living creatures like fish or snakes, 条 emphasizes their elongated shape. While 只 is also used for animals in general, 条 is the preferred measure word for long-shaped animals.
한눈에 보기
| 张 | 条 | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Flat, broad surface | Long and narrow |
| Common examples | 纸 (paper), 桌子 (table), 床 (bed), 照片 (photo) | 鱼 (fish), 路 (road), 河 (river), 裤子 (pants) |
| Abstract uses | None | 新闻 (news), 消息 (message), 法律 (law) |
| Body parts | 脸 (face), 嘴 (mouth) | None (but 条 can be used for 胳膊 (arm) in certain contexts) |
예문
- 张桌子上有一张纸。Zhuō zi shàng yǒu yì zhāng zhǐ.There is a piece of paper on the table.纸 is flat, so use 张.
- 张他买了一张新床。Tā mǎi le yì zhāng xīn chuáng.He bought a new bed.床 has a flat surface, therefore 张 is correct.
- 条河里有一条鱼。Hé lǐ yǒu yì tiáo yú.There is a fish in the river.鱼 is long and narrow, so 条 is the standard measure word.
- 条这是一条很长的路。Zhè shì yì tiáo hěn cháng de lù.This is a very long road.路 is long and narrow, thus 条.
- 条今天有一条重要新闻。Jīn tiān yǒu yì tiáo zhòng yào xīn wén.There is an important news item today.新闻 is abstract but considered a discrete item, so 条 is used.
- 张她有一张漂亮的脸。Tā yǒu yì zhāng piào liang de liǎn.She has a beautiful face.脸 is a flat surface, so 张 is appropriate.
흔한 실수
- Using 条 for flat objects like paper or tables – always use 张 for flat surfaces.
- Using 张 for long narrow objects like fish or roads – 张 only works for flat objects.
- Using 个 for all objects may sound unnatural in formal contexts; learn the specific measures for common nouns.
- For fish, going with 只 is common in casual speech, but 条 is the shape-specific classifier and is more precise.
자주 묻는 질문
- When do I use 张 vs 条?
- Use 张 for objects with a flat surface, like paper, tables, or beds. Use 条 for long, thin objects, like fish, roads, or rivers, and also for abstract items such as news and messages.
- Can I use 张 for a fish?
- No, fish are long and narrow, so you should use 条 (一条鱼). Using 张 would be understood as a flat object, which is incorrect.
- Is it wrong to say 一只鱼 instead of 一条鱼?
- Not necessarily wrong. 只 is a general animal classifier and is used in everyday speech. However, 条 is more precise for the fish's shape and is the standard in formal writing.
- What about abstract nouns like 'news'? Do they have specific measure words?
- Yes. 'A piece of news' is 一条新闻, using 条 because news items are seen as individual, discrete entities. 张 is not used for abstract concepts.