Measure word 场
HSK 6- Measure words
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Measure word 场 (cháng) used for events, activities, or natural phenomena that unfold over a period of time.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
You use 场 (cháng) when referring to a "bout," "round," or "session" of some event. It emphasizes the entire process of something unfolding, from beginning to end.
场 commonly pairs with nouns referring to:
- Entertainment and sports activities:
电影(movie),比赛(match/competition),音乐会(concert). - Natural phenomena:
雨(rain),雪(snow),风(wind). - Unfortunate occurrences:
病(illness),架(quarrel),误会(misunderstanding).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 昨天晚上我们看了一场电影。繁: 昨天晚上我們看了一場電影。Zuótiān wǎnshang wǒmen kàn le yì chǎng diànyǐng.
Last night we watched a movie.
- 今天下午下了一场大雨。繁: 今天下午下了一場大雨。Jīntiān xiàwǔ xià le yì chǎng dà yǔ.
This afternoon there was a heavy rainstorm.
- 他去年生了一场大病。繁: 他去年生了一場大病。Tā qùnián shēng le yì chǎng dà bìng.
He suffered from a serious illness last year.
- 明天有一场重要的考试。繁: 明天有一場重要的考試。Míngtiān yǒu yì chǎng zhòngyào de kǎoshì.
Tomorrow there is an important exam.
- 他们俩吵了一场架。繁: 他們倆吵了一場架。Tāmen liǎ chǎo le yì chǎng jià.
The two of them had a big quarrel.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:下了一个大雨。Correct:下了一场大雨。
For natural phenomena such as rain and snow, use the measure word 场 to indicate an occurrence or spell; 个 is not used.
- Wrong:我看了一次电影。Correct:我看了一场电影。
次 counts the number of times, while 场 emphasizes the complete experience of that 'occasion' of watching a film. Using 场 is more natural.