張

Classifier for Flat Things

Level 1Sounds Like zoeng1

Use 張 (zoeng1) when counting or specifying objects that are flat and thin (like paper, credit cards, or tickets) as well as furniture with large, flat top surfaces (like tables, desks, beds, and sofas).

How It Works

1. What does 張 (zoeng1) classify?
Historically originating from a word meaning 'to spread open', 張 (zoeng1) is used for objects defined by a broad or flat expanse:

  • Flat, thin items, sheets & cards: 紙 (zi2 / paper), 飛 (fei1 / tickets), 相 (soeng2 / photos), 卡 (kaa1 / cards), SIM cards, boarding passes.
  • Furniture with a flat surface: 檯 (toi2 / tables), 床 (cong4 / beds), 梳化 (so1 faa3 / sofas), 凳 (dang3 / chairs), benches.

2. Key Grammatical Patterns
• Counting frame (Number + CL + Noun): 一張紙 (jat1 zoeng1 zi2 / a sheet of paper). When saying 'two', always use 兩 (loeng5) instead of 二 (ji6): 兩張飛 (loeng5 zoeng1 fei1 / two tickets).
• Demonstratives: 呢張檯 (ni1 zoeng1 toi2 / this table), 嗰張床 (go2 zoeng1 cong4 / that bed).
• Bare classifier (CL + Noun): Unlike Mandarin, spoken Cantonese allows you to drop the number to indicate 'the' or possessive focus: 張檯好乾淨 (zoeng1 toi2 hou2 gon1 zing6 / The table is very clean); 我張飛 (ngo5 zoeng1 fei1 / my ticket).

3. Similar Classifiers to Distinguish
• 塊 (faai3): Used for solid chunks, boards, slices cut from a whole (e.g., cake, pizza, wood planks), and also for faces (一塊面 jat1 faai3 min6).
• 幅 (fuk1): Used for vertical mounted broad surfaces like framed artwork, wall maps, or curtains.

Examples (4)

  1. 請你幫我買兩張飛。

    Please help me buy two tickets.

    Word by Word: Please you help me buy two CL ticket.

    Uses 兩張 (loeng5 zoeng1) for 'two tickets' following the rule that 兩 is used with classifiers instead of 二.

  2. 呢張枱太細，放唔落咁多嘢。

    This table is too small to fit so many things.

    Word by Word: This CL table too small, put not down so many thing.

    Tables take 張 (zoeng1) because of their broad, flat functional surface.

  3. 我需要一張紙同埋一支筆。

    I need a sheet of paper and a pen.

    Word by Word: I need one CL paper and one CL pen.

    Demonstrates 張 (zoeng1) for flat paper alongside 支 (zi1) for cylindrical items.

  4. 張枱好乾淨。

    The table is very clean.

    Word by Word: CL table very clean.

    Shows the Cantonese bare classifier pattern (CL + Noun) acting as a definite article ('the table').

Common Mistakes

  • Using the general classifier 個 (go3) for flat items or furniture.

    Different Meaning我想要一個飛。
    我想要一張飛。

    Tickets, paper and tables usually take 張 (zoeng1). The general 個 (go3) is heard, but it sounds less standard.

  • Using the general 個 (go3) for a table instead of 張 (zoeng1).

    Different Meaning呢個枱好大。
    呢張枱好大。

    呢個枱 is often heard, but 張 (zoeng1) is the standard classifier for tables, desks and beds, because they have a broad flat top. 張 is not only for paper-thin things.

  • Using 二 (ji6) instead of 兩 (loeng5) before 張 (zoeng1).

    我買咗二張床。
    我買咗兩張床。

    When counting 'two' before any classifier like 張, always use 兩 (loeng5).

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

張Level 1Classifier for Flat Things

Learn This First

To use the classifier 張 (zoeng1), you first need to understand the general role of classifiers in Cantonese grammar and how they fit into the basic counting structure (Number + Classifier + Noun). Familiarity with the general classifier '個' helps establish the pattern for how specific classifiers are applied to different categories of objects.

Words in This Pattern

张