yībēi: 一杯 - A Cup of / A Glass of

• Keywords: yibei, yī bēi, 一杯, Chinese measure word, cup, glass, a cup of, a glass of, measure word bei, ordering drinks in Chinese, Chinese classifier, HSK 1 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn how to use 一杯 (yī bēi), the essential Chinese phrase for “a cup of” or “a glass of”. This guide breaks down the characters, explains its use in ordering coffee, tea, or beer in China, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Understand the cultural nuances of drinking and socializing, and master one of the most common and useful measure words for beginner Chinese learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yī bēi
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase (Number + Measure Word)
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: A cup of; a glass of.
• In a Nutshell: 一杯 (yī bēi) is one of the first and most useful measure word phrases you'll learn in Chinese. It literally means “one cup” or “one glass” and is used to quantify drinks served in cups, mugs, or glasses. Whether you're ordering a coffee at a café, grabbing a beer with friends, or just asking for a glass of water at a restaurant, you'll use 一杯 constantly.

• 一 (yī): The number “one”. It's one of the simplest Chinese characters, represented by a single horizontal stroke. It signifies a single unit of something.
• 杯 (bēi): The measure word for “cup” or “glass”. The left-side radical, 木 (mù), means “wood,” which suggests that early cups were often made of wood. The right side, 不 (bù), primarily provides the phonetic sound for the character.
• Together, 一 (yī) and 杯 (bēi) follow the fundamental Chinese grammatical structure of “number + measure word” to mean “one cup/glass”.

While 一杯 is a simple phrase, the act it represents is culturally significant in China. It's not just about quenching thirst; it's deeply tied to hospitality, social bonding, and building relationships.

• A Gesture of Hospitality: Offering a guest 一杯茶 (yī bēi chá), “a cup of tea,” is the most basic and universal sign of welcome in China. Whether entering a home or a business, this simple offering is a gesture of respect and friendliness. It creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for conversation.
• Social and Business Lubricant: Sharing 一杯酒 (yī bēi jiǔ), “a glass of alcohol,” is central to socializing and business in China. Toasts are a crucial part of banquets and dinners. The phrase 干杯 (gānbēi), which literally means “dry the cup,” is the equivalent of “Cheers!” and is an invitation to build camaraderie and trust.
• Western Comparison: In Western cultures, asking “Want a cup of coffee?” is often a casual, functional question. In China, while it can be just as casual, the invitation to share 一杯 often carries a slightly deeper implication of wanting to connect. The shared drink is a vessel for the shared time and conversation, which is highly valued in a relationship-oriented culture.

You will use 一杯 in countless daily situations.

• Ordering in Cafés and Restaurants: This is the most common context. You use the structure: (Subject) + Verb + 一杯 + (Drink).
  • e.g., 我要一杯咖啡。(Wǒ yào yī bēi kāfēi.) - I want a cup of coffee.
  • e.g., 请给我一杯可乐。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi kělè.) - Please give me a glass of coke.
• Social Invitations: The phrase 喝一杯 (hē yī bēi), “drink a cup,” is a common colloquial way to say “go for a drink,” usually implying an alcoholic beverage.
  • e.g., 下班后我们去喝一杯吧。(Xiàbān hòu wǒmen qù hē yī bēi ba.) - Let's go for a drink after work.
• At Home: You can use it to ask for or offer a drink in a household setting.
  • e.g., 你能帮我倒一杯水吗？ (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ dào yī bēi shuǐ ma?) - Can you help me pour a glass of water?

• Example 1:
  • 我想点一杯冰美式。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng diǎn yī bēi bīng Měishì.
  • English: I'd like to order a cup of iced Americano.
  • Analysis: A classic and highly practical sentence for any coffee shop in China. `点 (diǎn)` means “to order.”
• Example 2:
  • 服务员，请给我一杯热茶，谢谢。
  • Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi rè chá, xièxiè.
  • English: Waiter, please give me a cup of hot tea, thank you.
  • Analysis: This is a polite way to order a drink in a restaurant. `服务员 (fúwùyuán)` is how you call for service staff.
• Example 3:
  • 晚上我们去喝一杯啤酒怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Wǎnshang wǒmen qù hē yī bēi píjiǔ zěnmeyàng?
  • English: How about we go for a glass of beer tonight?
  • Analysis: Here, `喝一杯 (hē yī bēi)` is used as a general invitation for a social drink.
• Example 4:
  • 他每天早上必须喝一杯咖啡才能醒过来。
  • Pinyin: Tā měitiān zǎoshang bìxū hē yī bēi kāfēi cáinéng xǐng guòlái.
  • English: He has to drink a cup of coffee every morning to wake up.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a daily routine, showing the common use of 一杯 in everyday descriptions.
• Example 5:
  • 天气太热了，我真想喝一杯冰水。
  • Pinyin: Tiānqì tài rè le, wǒ zhēn xiǎng hē yī bēi bīng shuǐ.
  • English: The weather is too hot, I really want to drink a glass of ice water.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how to express a craving or desire using `想 (xiǎng)`.
• Example 6:
  • 来，我们为我们的成功干一杯！
  • Pinyin: Lái, wǒmen wèi wǒmen de chénggōng gān yī bēi!
  • English: Come, let's toast to our success!
  • Analysis: Shows the use of 一杯 in the context of toasting. `干一杯 (gān yī bēi)` is a variation of `干杯 (gānbēi)`.
• Example 7:
  • 这家酒吧的鸡尾酒很特别，你应该尝一杯。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā jiǔbā de jīwěijiǔ hěn tèbié, nǐ yīnggāi cháng yī bēi.
  • English: This bar's cocktails are very special; you should try a glass.
  • Analysis: Using `尝 (cháng)`, “to taste/try,” with 一杯 is very natural when recommending a drink.
• Example 8:
  • 我不要一杯，我要两杯。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bùyào yī bēi, wǒ yào liǎng bēi.
  • English: I don't want one cup, I want two cups.
  • Analysis: This example highlights the use of `两 (liǎng)` for “two” with measure words, a key grammar point for beginners.
• Example 9:
  • 睡觉前喝一杯热牛奶有助于睡眠。
  • Pinyin: Shuìjiào qián hē yī bēi rè niúnǎi yǒuzhùyú shuìmián.
  • English: Drinking a cup of hot milk before bed helps with sleep.
  • Analysis: A useful sentence for talking about health or daily habits.
• Example 10:
  • 麻烦你，一杯橙汁，不加冰。
  • Pinyin: Máfan nǐ, yī bēi chéngzhī, bù jiā bīng.
  • English: Excuse me, a glass of orange juice, no ice.
  • Analysis: A concise and direct way to order, perfect for a busy counter. `麻烦你 (Máfan nǐ)` is a polite way to start a request.

• Measure Word Mismatches: The biggest mistake for beginners is using the wrong measure word. 杯 (bēi) is only for cups or glasses.
  • Incorrect: 我要一杯瓶装水。(Wǒ yào yī bēi píngzhuāng shuǐ.)
  • Why it's wrong: Bottled water requires the measure word for bottles, `瓶 (píng)`.
  • Correct: 我要一瓶瓶装水。(Wǒ yào yī píng píngzhuāng shuǐ.)
  • Rule of thumb: If it comes in a bottle, use `瓶 (píng)`. If it comes in a can, use `罐 (guàn)`. If it's poured into a cup or glass for you, use `杯 (bēi)`.
• Using 二 (èr) instead of 两 (liǎng): When counting with measure words, “two” is always 两 (liǎng), not `二 (èr)`.
  • Incorrect: 我要二杯咖啡。(Wǒ yào èr bēi kāfēi.)
  • Correct: 我要两杯咖啡。(Wǒ yào liǎng bēi kāfēi.)
• Confusing the Measure Word with the Noun: 杯 (bēi) is the measure word, while 杯子 (bēizi) is the noun for the physical object “cup/glass.”
  • Incorrect: 我要一杯子茶。(Wǒ yào yī bēizi chá.)
  • Correct: 我要一杯茶。(Wǒ yào yī bēi chá.)
  • You would use `杯子` to say something like: “My cup is broken.” (我的杯子破了。 Wǒ de bēizi pò le.)

• 杯子 (bēizi) - The noun for the object itself: a “cup” or a “glass”. 一杯 quantifies a drink; 一个杯子 refers to one physical cup.
• 瓶 (píng) - The measure word for “bottle”. Used for beer, water, soda, etc., when sold by the bottle.
• 罐 (guàn) - The measure word for “can”. Used for canned soda, beer, etc.
• 喝 (hē) - The verb “to drink”. The action that almost always accompanies 一杯.
• 干杯 (gānbēi) - “Cheers!” or “Bottoms up!” A fundamental part of Chinese drinking culture, literally meaning “dry the cup”.
• 量词 (liàngcí) - The grammatical term for “measure word” or “classifier”. 杯 is a perfect example of a 量词.
• 两 (liǎng) - The number “two” used specifically with measure words.
• 点 (diǎn) - A common verb for “to order” food or drinks.
• 服务员 (fúwùyuán) - “Waiter/Waitress/Attendant”. The person you will often say 一杯 to.