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I'm not sure if I should say 一件问题 or 一项问题. I know I can get away with 一个问题, but I'd like to know the "correct" measure word.

Note: I would like to use the tag measure-word, but I can't. I used "writing" instead, because using the right measure word (instead of 个) seems to only matter in writing.

blackgreen
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pwnall
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3 Answers3

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These are the standard measure words for 问题:

  • Normally you would use 个.
  • If there is a stream of questions you can use 串, for example 一大串问题.
  • If there are a couple of questions, you can use 些
  • If you are talking about kinds of questions, you have to use 类, for example 这类问题 (this kind of problem)

件 is used, but not very often, even in writing. 项 is not a standard measure word for 问题, but it can be used when talking about problems (for example software problems), not when talking about questions.

BertR
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  • Both 一件问题 and 一项问题 can be understood but sound awkward to me. IMO these usages should be avoided. Otherwise it's a great answer. – NS.X. Oct 31 '12 at 06:59
  • @NS.X.: I completely agree for 一件问题, but a sentence similar to 新固件修正六项问题 is quite common when talking about problems (for example in hardware and software). – BertR Oct 31 '12 at 07:49
  • you're right, in that specific context it sounds good, not in spoken language though. – NS.X. Nov 02 '12 at 01:14
  • The 问题 in 新固件修正六项问题 is not "questions" but more like "issues". That's the reason they have different measure words. – AngelLeliel Nov 05 '12 at 10:20
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    @AngelLeliel: That's what I also wrote: "it can be used when talking about problems (for example software problems), not when talking about question" – BertR Nov 05 '12 at 18:28
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The correct measure word or (量词) for 问题 is 个 as in 一个问题. There is no explanation for this, and the knowledge is only acquired through practice.

  • 项 is a measure word for 工程
  • 件 is a measure word for 事情

Other measure words include:

  • 一尊佛像 (a statue, unit word describes a statue)
  • 一顶帽子 (a hat)
  • 一只猫 (a cat)
  • 一打鸡蛋 (a dozen of eggs)
  • 一条蛇 (a snake)
  • 一串葡萄 (a bunch of grapes)

For more examples, please refer to Wikipedia or Baidu article on the topic of 量词.

杨以轩
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The correct measure word for 问题 is 道。

Alice greenvavlue
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