To be fair, zero is a complicated number

  • alcoholicorn@lemmy.ml
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    6 months ago

    No, but whenever you have something that’s countable (even if it’s just 1), you have to do <number> <measure word> <thing>, so instead of “I have a ticket” or “we want 2 waters”, you have to do “I have 1 <measure word for flat things> ticket” or “I(plural) want 2 <measure word for cups> water”.

    There’s a generic measure word, but I think it’s seen as improper to use it.

    • wizzor@sopuli.xyz
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      6 months ago

      Yea, Chinese people understand when you do that, but they first look at you with this confused look thinking ‘he wants two chopstic pieces?’ and then realize you have a vocabulary of a two-year-old.

      Source:lived in China long enough to learn yo ask for things, but not long enough to learn the countable nouns.