Definition
件 (jiàn) is a classifier for items of clothing, objects, and matters (events). It's the general word for 'piece of' when counting clothes and things. 只 (zhǐ) is for one of a pair (animals, shoes, boats), so don't use 件 for those.
classifier
for items of clothingobjectsand matters
Easily confused
- 见jiànsound-aliketo see; to meet
- 间jiānsound-alike(classifier) for rooms, offices, and other enclosed spaces
- 建jiànsound-aliketo build, to establish, to construct
- 剑jiànsound-alikedouble-edged sword
- 剪jiǎnsound-aliketo cut with scissors; to trim
- 捡jiǎnsound-aliketo pick up; to collect; to gather
- 尖jiānsound-alike(adjective) sharp, pointed; shrill, tapering; shrill, piercing; acute, keen
- 箭jiànsound-alikearrow
- 贱jiànsound-alike(adjective) cheap, inexpensive (of goods)
- 减jiǎnsound-aliketo reduce, to decrease, to subtract
Examples
- 件。Wǒ mǎi le yí jiàn xīn yīfu.I bought a new item of clothing.
- 件。Zhè jiàn yīfu hěn hǎokàn.This piece of clothing looks nice.
- 件。Nà jiàn dōngxi shì wǒ de.That thing is mine.
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