Measure word / Verbal measure 顿
HSK 6- Measure words
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Measure word 顿 used to indicate the number of meals, or a bout of scolding, a beating.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
顿 is an action measure word used to count the number of times a complete action takes place within a period of time. Most commonly, it is used for meals (一顿饭). It can also indicate a round or bout of something when paired with verbs such as scolding (骂), hitting (打), or criticizing (批评). Think of 顿 as a "serving" of a complete action.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我一天吃三顿饭。繁: 我一天吃三頓飯。Wǒ yì tiān chī sān dùn fàn.
I eat three meals a day.
- 我们去吃一顿好的吧！繁: 我們去吃一頓好的吧！Wǒmen qù chī yí dùn hǎo de ba!
Let's go have a nice meal!
- 他被老师批评了一顿。繁: 他被老師批評了一頓。Tā bèi lǎoshī pīpíng le yí dùn.
He was criticized by the teacher.
- 弟弟又被爸爸打了一顿。繁: 弟弟又被爸爸打了一頓。Dìdi yòu bèi bàba dǎ le yí dùn.
The younger brother got beaten by dad again.
- 他把我臭骂了一顿。繁: 他把我臭罵了一頓。Tā bǎ wǒ chòu mà le yí dùn.
He gave me a thorough scolding.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我昨天看了一顿电影。Correct:我昨天看了一场电影。
顿 is not used for films or performances; use the measure word 场 for these activities instead.
- Wrong:我吃一顿了饭。Correct:我吃了一顿饭。
When 一顿 is used as a measure word for actions, it typically comes after the verb and before the object. The particle 了 is placed immediately after the verb.