支 (zhī): Chinese measure word
How to use 支 (zhī), the Chinese measure word for pens, cigarettes and teams: example nouns with pinyin, sentences and common mistakes.
Last updated 2026-10-30
支
zhī
pens, cigarettes and teams
What it's used for
支 (zhī) counts long, thin, stiff objects such as pens and cigarettes, and also groups like teams and troops: 一支球队.
Common nouns with 支
- 一支歌 yì zhī gē song
- 一支笔 yì zhī bǐ pen
- 一支球队 yì zhī qiú duì sports team (basketball, soccer, footb…
- 一支乐队 yì zhī yuè duì band
- 一支尺 yì zhī chǐ ruler; Chinese foot
- 一支吸管 yì zhī xī guǎn (drinking) straw
- 一支枪 yì zhī qiāng gun
- 一支钢笔 yì zhī gāng bǐ fountain pen
- 一支箭 yì zhī jiàn arrow
- 一支军队 yì zhī jūn duì armed forces
- 一支民歌 yì zhī mín gē folk song
- 一支铅笔 yì zhī qiān bǐ (lead) pencil
- 一支圆珠笔 yì zhī yuán zhū bǐ ballpoint pen
- 一支曲 yì zhī qǔ tune
- 一支香烟 yì zhī xiāng yān cigarette
- 一支曲子 yì zhī qǔ zi tune; song
Example sentences
-
我借你一支笔。
Wǒ jiè nǐ yì zhī bǐ.
I'll lend you a pen.
-
这是一支很强的球队。
Zhè shì yì zhī hěn qiáng de qiú duì.
This is a very strong team.
-
他点了一支烟。
Tā diǎn le yì zhī yān.
He lit a cigarette.
Common mistake
Don't confuse it with 只 (also <em>zhī</em>), which counts animals.
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