把 (bǎ): Chinese measure word
How to use 把 (bǎ), the Chinese measure word for things with a handle: example nouns with pinyin, sentences and common mistakes.
Last updated 2026-10-30
把
bǎ
things with a handle
What it's used for
把 counts things you hold by a handle: chairs, knives, umbrellas, keys, scissors, spoons. It also means “a handful”: 一把米 (a handful of rice).
Common nouns with 把
- 一把椅子 yì bǎ yǐ zi chair
- 一把刀 yì bǎ dāo knife
- 一把年纪 yì bǎ nián jì age
- 一把伞 yì bǎ sǎn umbrella
- 一把尺子 yì bǎ chǐ zi ruler (measuring instrument)
- 一把力气 yì bǎ lì qi strength
- 一把刷子 yì bǎ shuā zi brush
- 一把牙刷 yì bǎ yá shuā toothbrush
- 一把剪 yì bǎ jiǎn scissors
- 一把锁 yì bǎ suǒ a lock
- 一把叉子 yì bǎ chā zi fork
- 一把剪刀 yì bǎ jiǎn dāo scissors
- 一把剪子 yì bǎ jiǎn zi clippers
- 一把年龄 yì bǎ nián líng (a person's) age
- 一把扇子 yì bǎ shàn zi fan
- 一把勺 yì bǎ sháo spoon
Example sentences
-
外面下雨了，带一把伞吧。
Wài miàn xià yǔ le, dài yì bǎ sǎn ba.
It's raining outside, so take an umbrella.
-
我丢了一把钥匙。
Wǒ diū le yì bǎ yào shi.
I lost a key.
-
房间里有四把椅子。
Fáng jiān lǐ yǒu sì bǎ yǐ zi.
There are four chairs in the room.
Common mistake
一个伞 ✗ → 一把伞 ✓. Chairs take 把, but tables take 张.
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