tiáo: 条 - Strip, Item, Measure Word for Long Things

• Keywords: Chinese measure word tiao, 条, tiáo, Chinese classifier, measure word for pants, measure word for dogs, what does tiao mean, how to use tiao in Chinese, tiao vs zhi, tiao vs gen, Chinese grammar, HSK 2 word
• Summary: Discover the meaning and usage of 条 (tiáo), one of the most essential measure words (classifiers) in Mandarin Chinese. This page explains why 条 is used for everything from rivers and roads to pants and dogs. Learn its core concept of “long, thin strips,” see practical example sentences, and understand its cultural significance in how Chinese speakers categorize the world. Perfect for HSK 2 learners aiming to master Chinese grammar.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tiáo
• Part of Speech: Measure Word (Classifier); Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A measure word for objects that are long, thin, or narrow, and for abstract items like news, rules, or suggestions.
• In a Nutshell: 条 (tiáo) is a fundamental Chinese classifier that helps you “count” things. Its core idea is anything that resembles a long “strip” or “line”. This applies to physical objects you can see, like a fish (一条鱼), a road (一条路), or a pair of pants (一条裤子). It also extends metaphorically to abstract things that can be itemized or listed, like a piece of news (一条新闻) or a single reason (一条理由). Mastering 条 is a huge step toward speaking more natural Chinese.

• 条 (tiáo): This character is a phono-semantic compound, meaning it has a part for meaning and a part for sound.
  • The bottom component is 木 (mù), which means “tree” or “wood”. This gives the character its core meaning, originally referring to a twig or a thin branch of a tree—a perfect example of something long and slender.
• The character elegantly combines the idea of a “tree branch” with its modern, broader use for anything that shares that long, strip-like quality.

The concept of measure words like 条 (tiáo) is a key linguistic difference between Chinese and English. While English has some classifiers (“a loaf of bread,” “a flock of sheep”), Chinese uses them for almost every noun. 条 reveals how the language encourages speakers to categorize objects by their physical shape. Instead of just “a dog,” Chinese speakers might say 一条狗 (yì tiáo gǒu), implicitly highlighting the dog's long body shape. This is a subtle but constant way of observing and classifying the world. Compare this to the Western approach. In English, a “river,” a “snake,” and a “pair of pants” have no grammatical connection. In Chinese, they are all linked by 条, creating a mental category of “long, winding, strip-like things.” This extends to abstracts as well. A “life” (一条命, yì tiáo mìng) is conceptualized as a single, continuous thread or path, much like a road. Understanding 条 isn't just about grammar; it's about seeing the world through a new categorical lens.

条 (tiáo) is extremely common in everyday conversation, news, and writing. Its usage can be broken down into a few key categories:

• Long, Flexible Objects: This is its most common use. It's the default measure word for things like rivers, roads, ropes, towels, and scarves.
  • e.g., 一条河 (yì tiáo hé) - a river; 一条毛巾 (yì tiáo máojīn) - a towel
• Clothing (for the legs): Specifically used for pants, trousers, skirts, and shorts.
  • e.g., 一条裤子 (yì tiáo kùzi) - a pair of pants; 一条裙子 (yì tiáo qúnzi) - a skirt/dress
• Certain Animals: Used for animals with long bodies.
  • e.g., 一条鱼 (yì tiáo yú) - a fish; 一条蛇 (yì tiáo shé) - a snake; 一条龙 (yì tiáo lóng) - a dragon. It is also commonly used for dogs: 一条狗 (yì tiáo gǒu).
• Abstract Items (in a list or series): Used for individual items of information, rules, or ideas.
  • e.g., 一条新闻 (yì tiáo xīnwén) - a piece of news; 一条建议 (yì tiáo jiànyì) - a suggestion; 一条规定 (yì tiáo guīdìng) - a rule.
• As part of a Noun: 条 also forms other words, such as 条件 (tiáojiàn), meaning “condition” or “term,” and the idiom 井井有条 (jǐng jǐng yǒu tiáo), meaning “in perfect order.”

• Example 1:
  • 我今天买了一条新裤子。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān mǎi le yì tiáo xīn kùzi.
  • English: I bought a new pair of pants today.
  • Analysis: A classic example. 条 is the correct measure word for pants (裤子).
• Example 2:
  • 爸爸在河里钓到一条大鱼。
  • Pinyin: Bàba zài hé lǐ diào dào yì tiáo dà yú.
  • English: Dad caught a big fish in the river.
  • Analysis: Fish (鱼) are long and thin, so they use 条.
• Example 3:
  • 我家门前有一条小路。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jiā mén qián yǒu yì tiáo xiǎo lù.
  • English: There is a small road in front of my house.
  • Analysis: Roads (路) are categorized as long, strip-like things.
• Example 4:
  • 你看到今天头条新闻了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn dào jīntiān tóutiáo xīnwén le ma?
  • English: Did you see the headline news today?
  • Analysis: Here, 条 is part of the compound word 头条 (tóutiáo), meaning “headline” (literally “head strip/item”).
• Example 5:
  • 他给我发了一条短信。
  • Pinyin: Tā gěi wǒ fā le yì tiáo duǎnxìn.
  • English: He sent me a text message.
  • Analysis: A text message (短信) is treated as a single item of information, hence 条.
• Example 6:
  • 关于这个问题，我有一条建议。
  • Pinyin: Guānyú zhège wèntí, wǒ yǒu yì tiáo jiànyì.
  • English: Regarding this issue, I have a suggestion.
  • Analysis: A suggestion (建议) is an abstract item, counted with 条.
• Example 7:
  • 学生必须遵守学校的每一条规定。
  • Pinyin: Xuéshēng bìxū zūnshǒu xuéxiào de měi yì tiáo guīdìng.
  • English: Students must obey every single school rule.
  • Analysis: Rules (规定) are listed items, so 条 is used.
• Example 8:
  • 我的邻居养了一条很可爱的狗。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de línjū yǎng le yì tiáo hěn kě'ài de gǒu.
  • English: My neighbor has a very cute dog.
  • Analysis: 条 is often used for dogs (狗), emphasizing their long body shape. (See “Nuances” below).
• Example 9:
  • 每一条生命都值得尊重。
  • Pinyin: Měi yì tiáo shēngmìng dōu zhídé zūnzhòng.
  • English: Every life is worthy of respect.
  • Analysis: This is a more profound, abstract use. Life (生命) is conceptualized as a single, long path or thread.
• Example 10:
  • 她的书桌总是井井有条。
  • Pinyin: Tā de shūzhuō zǒngshì jǐng jǐng yǒu tiáo.
  • English: Her desk is always in perfect order.
  • Analysis: An example of 条 used in a chengyu (idiom). Here, it means “order” or “organization.”

• “一条狗” vs. “一只狗”: The Dog Dilemma
  • You will hear both 一条狗 (yì tiáo gǒu) and 一只狗 (yì zhī gǒu). Both are correct!
  • 一条狗 subtly emphasizes the dog's long body shape.
  • 一只狗 is more general, as 只 (zhī) is a common measure word for many animals. For beginners, both are acceptable, but knowing the distinction shows a higher level of understanding.
• False Friend: “Article”
  • 条 is used for a clause in a contract (条款 tiáokuǎn) or a rule (规定 guīdìng). However, it is NOT the measure word for a written article you read in a newspaper or blog.
  • Incorrect: 我读了~~一条~~文章。
  • Correct: 我读了一篇文章。(Wǒ dú le yì piān wénzhāng.) The correct measure word for articles is 篇 (piān).
• Overusing 条 for All Long Things:
  • Not every long, thin object uses 条. The key is often flexibility or a certain scale. For long, thin, rigid objects, you often use 根 (gēn) or 支 (zhī).
  • Incorrect: 一~~条~~笔 (a pen) → Correct: 一支笔 (yì zhī bǐ)
  • Incorrect: 一~~条~~香蕉 (a banana) → Correct: 一根香蕉 (yì gēn xiāngjiāo)

• 个 (gè) - The all-purpose, most common measure word. When in doubt, use 个, but using a more specific one like 条 sounds much more natural.
• 只 (zhī) - A common measure word for animals (cats, birds, tigers) and for one of a pair (a hand, an eye). Often contrasted with 条 for dogs.
• 根 (gēn) - Measure word for long, thin, slender, and often hard objects like bananas, hair, or needles.
• 篇 (piān) - The correct measure word for essays, articles, or reports.
• 件 (jiàn) - Measure word for upper-body clothing (shirts, coats) and for matters/affairs (一件事).
• 口 (kǒu) - Measure word for family members (e.g., 三口人 - a family of three) and things with a “mouth” like a well.
• 辆 (liàng) - Measure word for wheeled vehicles like cars and bicycles.
• 条件 (tiáojiàn) - A noun meaning “condition,” “term,” or “requirement.” Shows how 条 can be a component in other words.
• 井井有条 (jǐng jǐng yǒu tiáo) - An idiom meaning “in perfect order,” “methodical.”