张 (zhāng) — measure word for flat things

张 (zhāng)

A measure word used for flat, thin, sheet-like objects. 张 also means "to spread out" or "to open," which reflects the flat, spread nature of the objects it counts.

Meanings

1. [measure word] Classifier for flat, sheet-like objects such as paper, photos, tables, and maps.
2. [verb] To spread out, to open (as in 张开, "open up").

What 张 counts

张 is used with:

• 纸 (zhǐ): paper — 一张纸 (one sheet of paper)
• 照片 (zhàopiàn): photographs — 一张照片 (one photo)
• 地图 (dìtú): maps — 一张地图 (one map)
• 桌子 (zhuōzi): tables — 一张桌子 (one table)
• 票 (piào): tickets — 一张票 (one ticket)

Example Sentences

请给我一张纸。 Qǐng gěi wǒ yī zhāng zhǐ. Please give me a sheet of paper.

我有一张中国地图。 Wǒ yǒu yī zhāng Zhōngguó dìtú. I have a map of China.

他给我看了一张照片。 Tā gěi wǒ kànle yī zhāng zhàopiàn. He showed me a photograph.

我买了两张火车票。 Wǒ mǎile liǎng zhāng huǒchē piào. I bought two train tickets.

Collocations

Common Learner Mistake

Do not use 个 for paper, photos, or tickets. These flat objects require 张. Also note that 张 is used for tables (桌子) even though tables are three-dimensional — what matters is the flat surface that defines the object.