Measure words and the number + measure word + (noun) structure
When Chinese expresses quantity, a measure word normally follows the number.
This section covers the measure words used for counting people or things, for example:
口measure word for people
个the general measure word
and the number + measure word + (noun) structure.
Basic structure
Number + measure word + (noun)
In Chinese:
数词 + 量词 +（名词）
That is:
number + the word used for counting + noun
四口
Four people
Structure
四 + 口
four + measure word
四four
口measure word for people
人 is not said here, but people are what is meant.
四口人
Four people
Structure
四 + 口 + 人
four + measure word + person
四four
口measure word for people
人person
两个
Two
Structure
两 + 个
two + measure word
两two
个the general measure word
The noun is not said here.
两个学生
Two students
Structure
两 + 个 + 学生
two + measure word + student
两two
个the general measure word
学生student
The rule in short
To state a quantity, Chinese normally uses:
Number + measure word + noun
— that form.
Examples:
四口
four people
四口人
four people
两个
two
两个学生
two students