particle is known to students of Chinese as the Numerary Adjunct or Classifier. A paralled to this Chinese construction is found in the English phrase "a piece of music" where the use of the word "piece" is necessary, as we cannot speak of "a music". What is only found in a few cases in the English language is the almost universal rule in Chinese the exceptions being few and for definite reasons. It is absolutely necessary for the student of Chinese to be thoroughly acquainted with these Numerary adjuncts and the rules for their use, as not only do they form an integral part of the Chinese spoken language, but at times the only way to distinguish between the meaning of two nouns identical in sound and tone is by listening to the numerary adjuncts used with them. A cupboard is 欄一架 diù siŏh gá, while a piece of silk cloth is 綢一疋 diù siŏh pék.
The numerary adjunct is sometimes placed before the noun and sometimes after. Thus the phrase, “two sedan chairs” may be translated 二把轎 lâng bā giêu or 轎二把 giêu lâng bā where bā is the numerary adjunct, and lâng the numeral. (The rules for the numerals and their uses will be found in the next lesson.)
1. The most commonly used of the different N. A. are the following:—隻 Ciáh, this is the most widely used, and is generally applied to men, and to things of square shape. There men, 三隻𠆧 săng ciáh nè̤ng. Two boxes, 二隻箱 lâng ciáh siŏng. 本 Buōng is the N. A. of books and pencils. One Bible, 一本聖經 siŏh buōng Séng-Gĭng. Three pencils, 三本筆 săng buōng bék. 架 Gá is the N. A. of bedsteads, cupboards, clocks, ladders etc. 粒 Lăk is the N. A. of stars, beads, buttons, grains, and round objects generally. 張 Tiŏng is the N. A. of things possessing flat surfaces, as paper, tables, chairs, etc.
2. The exceptions to the general rule that each noun takes its own N. A. with it are as follows;– (a) Some collective nouns are themselves numerary adjuncts, and are used as such. One flock, 一羣 siŏh gùng.
