Measure word 阵
HSK 6- Measure words
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Measure word 阵 is used for events that occur suddenly and last for a short period of time, such as a gust of wind, a burst of rain, or a round of applause.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
阵 (zhèn) is a dynamic measure word used to refer to events that occur suddenly and end quickly. It is equivalent to "a burst of," "a fit of," or "a spell of" in English.
You will often see 一阵 used with natural phenomena (wind, rain, thunder), sounds (applause, laughter), scents, or sensations (a bout of pain). It emphasizes the sudden and short-lived nature of the action or event in question.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 外面刮起了一阵大风。繁: 外面颳起了一陣大風。Wàimiàn guā qǐ le yí zhèn dàfēng.
A strong wind came up outside.
- 刚才下了一阵雨。繁: 剛才下了一陣雨。Gāngcái xià le yí zhèn yǔ.
There was a sudden rain shower a moment ago.
- 教室里传来一阵笑声。繁: 教室裡傳來一陣笑聲。Jiàoshì lǐ chuán lái yí zhèn xiàoshēng.
A burst of laughter rang out in the classroom.
- 厨房飘来一阵香味。繁: 廚房飄來一陣香味。Chúfáng piāo lái yí zhèn xiāngwèi.
A fragrant aroma wafted from the kitchen.
- 我的头突然疼了一阵。繁: 我的頭突然疼了一陣。Wǒ de tóu tūrán téng le yí zhèn.
My head suddenly throbbed with pain for a moment.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:下了一个雨。Correct:下了一阵雨。
阵 is the appropriate measure word for a short "rainstorm" or "bout of rain." 个 is not used for natural phenomena like rain.
- Wrong:刮了一阵风一天。Correct:刮了一天风。
一阵 refers only to a brief period of time and cannot be used with a longer duration like 一天 (one day).