杯 (bēi) — measure word for cups and glasses
HSK 1 | measure word | classifier for cups, glasses, and their contents
杯 (bēi)
A measure word used for cups, glasses, and the drinks contained in them. 杯 also functions as a noun meaning "cup" or "glass" itself.
Meanings
- [measure word] Classifier for a cup or glass of a beverage.
- [noun] Cup, glass, mug. The vessel used for drinking.
What 杯 counts
杯 is used with:
- 茶 (chá): tea — 一杯茶 (a cup of tea)
- 水 (shuǐ): water — 一杯水 (a glass of water)
- 咖啡 (kāfēi): coffee — 一杯咖啡 (a cup of coffee)
- 果汁 (guǒzhī): juice — 一杯果汁 (a glass of juice)
- 酒 (jiǔ): alcohol — 一杯酒 (a glass of wine/beer)
Example Sentences
请给我一杯茶。 Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi chá. Please give me a cup of tea.
我每天喝两杯水。 Wǒ měitiān hē liǎng bēi shuǐ. I drink two glasses of water every day.
来一杯咖啡吧。 Lái yī bēi kāfēi ba. Let's have a cup of coffee.
这杯茶太热了。 Zhè bēi chá tài rè le. This cup of tea is too hot.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 一杯茶 | a cup of tea |
| 一杯水 | a glass of water |
| 一杯咖啡 | a cup of coffee |
| 喝一杯 | have a drink |
| 茶杯 | teacup |
Common Learner Mistake
杯 refers to the container and its content together. Saying 一杯水 means "one glass of water" (the water in a glass). Do not confuse this with 一瓶水, which means "one bottle of water." 杯 is for cup-sized portions; 瓶 is for bottled drinks.