A or an is translated into Chinese by the numeral \{ih}/ (一) one, and
a classifier placed between the numeral and the noun. There are over
forty classifiers, different nouns taking different ones, according to
the class to which they belong. Nouns being generally used with
classifiers accounts for the fact that in Pidgin English we have the
oft recurring expression, “one piecee.”
Most concrete nouns take classifiers, but not all. Exceptions will be
pointed out later on. Sometimes when the object spoken of is quite
definitely known, the noun is used without the classifier.
In this lesson, the two most common classifiers will be introduced,
and in succeeding lessons the others will appear gradually.
It must be remarked that some nouns may take more than one classifier,
sometimes one being used and sometimes another.
The most common classifier is \{kuh}/ (個). “It is applied to such
nouns as have no special classifier, and {may} upon occasion be
applied to almost any noun as a substitute for the special classifier”
(Mateer).
The classifier \{tsak}/ (隻) is used with animals, birds, fowls,
insects; also with articles of furniture having legs or resting on a
base; also with vessels, boats, etc.