Chinese word

台

Pronunciation

Pinyintái

Meaning

  • measure wordunit

Example

我买了两台电脑。wǒ mǎi le liǎng tái diàn nǎo

I bought two computers.

Illustration for 台 (unit)

More examples

客厅里有一台电视。kè tīng lǐ yǒu yì tái diàn shì

There is one television in the living room.

Core concept

One complete device standing as a separate countable piece of equipment.

Common phrases

  • 一台电脑yì tái diàn nǎo

    one computer

  • 一台电视yì tái diàn shì

    one television

  • 一台洗衣机yì tái xǐ yī jī

    one washing machine

Similar words

辆liàng: Counts vehicles, including cars and bicycles.
部bù: Counts mobile phones and telephone devices.
把bǎ: Counts handled objects and tools used by gripping them.

Definition in Chinese

用作量词，置于数词与名词之间，用来表示机器、设备、器具等独立成套的装置单位，常见用法如“我买了两台电脑”。yòng zuò liàng cí zhì yú shù cí yǔ míng cí zhī jiān yòng lái biǎo shì jī qì shè bèi qì jù děng dú lì chéng tào de zhuāng zhì dān wèi cháng jiàn yòng fǎ rú wǒ mǎi le liǎng tái diàn nǎo

Word origin

The word 台 (tái, "unit") is historically connected with a raised stand or platform, so its supporting-base image helps explain its use for one complete device.

Usage tips

  • The same measure word covers many kinds of equipment, including computers, televisions, and air conditioners, so each type does not need its own special counting word.

Word lists with this word