Keywords: yī píng, 一瓶, Chinese measure word for bottle, bottle in Chinese, yī píng meaning, how to say bottle in Chinese, classifier for drinks, measure words China, quantifiers in Chinese, Chinese grammar, ordering drinks in Chinese.
Summary: “一瓶” (yī píng) is a fundamental Chinese phrase meaning “one bottle” or “a bottle of”. As a combination of the number “one” (一) and the measure word “bottle” (瓶), it's essential for everyday tasks like ordering drinks, shopping for groceries, and talking about anything that comes in a bottle. Mastering “一瓶” is a key step to understanding Chinese measure words, a core concept in the language.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): yī píng (pronounced “yì píng” in speech due to tone change rules)
Part of Speech: Number + Measure Word
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition: A measure word phrase indicating a quantity of one bottle of a substance.
In a Nutshell: In English, we can say “one beer.” In Chinese, you can't just say “一啤酒 (yī píjiǔ)”. You must insert a “measure word” or “classifier” that matches the noun. For things that come in bottles, that word is `瓶 (píng)`. Therefore, you say “一瓶啤酒 (yī píng píjiǔ),” which literally translates to “one bottle beer.” Think of it as a necessary grammatical container for the noun.
Character Breakdown
一 (yī): This is one of the simplest Chinese characters, representing the number “one.” It's a single horizontal stroke, an ideogram of a single unit.
瓶 (píng): This character means “bottle” or “vase.” It's a phono-semantic compound. The radical on the left, `瓦 (wǎ)`, means “earthenware” or “tile,” indicating that bottles were originally made from pottery or ceramic. The right part, `并 (bìng)`, provides the phonetic sound.
Together, `一 (yī)` + `瓶 (píng)` creates the straightforward meaning of “one bottle.”
Cultural Context and Significance
While “a bottle” seems like a simple concept, it's deeply tied to Chinese social and dining culture. Many social interactions revolve around sharing drinks that come in bottles.
Dining and Socializing: At a typical Chinese dinner, especially with friends or colleagues, ordering multiple bottles of beer (`啤酒 píjiǔ`) or a bottle of `白酒 (báijiǔ)`, a strong grain liquor, is standard practice. The act of sharing, pouring for others, and toasting with these bottles helps to build camaraderie and social bonds (`关系 guānxi`).
Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, you might order a single glass of wine or a pint of beer. In China, particularly in group settings, it's more common to order a large bottle of beer to be shared or for everyone to have their own bottle. A bottle of expensive `白酒 (báijiǔ)` is also a common and respected gift, signifying generosity and a desire to build a strong relationship, much like a fine bottle of scotch might be in the West, but with a more direct role in business and social rituals.
Practical Usage in Modern China
The Tone Change of “一 (yī)”: This is a critical pronunciation point. When `一 (yī)` comes before a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd tone character, it changes to the 4th tone (`yì`). Since `瓶 (píng)` is 2nd tone, the phrase is almost always pronounced `yì píng`. While the dictionary lists it as `yī píng`, you will sound much more natural saying `yì píng`.
Ordering in a Restaurant: This is the most common use case for a beginner. You can use the pattern “我要一瓶…” (Wǒ yào yī píng… - I want one bottle of…).
`我要一瓶啤酒。` (Wǒ yào yì píng píjiǔ.) - I want a bottle of beer.
`请给我一瓶可乐。` (Qǐng gěi wǒ yì píng kělè.) - Please give me a bottle of Coke.
Shopping: When buying things in a store.
`这一瓶水多少钱？` (Zhè yì píng shuǐ duōshǎo qián?) - How much is this bottle of water?
General Conversation: When talking about quantities.
`我昨天喝了一整瓶红酒。` (Wǒ zuótiān hēle yī zhěng píng hóngjiǔ.) - I drank a whole bottle of red wine yesterday.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
老板，来一瓶冰啤酒！
Pinyin: Lǎobǎn, lái yì píng bīng píjiǔ!
English: Boss, bring a bottle of cold beer!
Analysis: A very common and colloquial way to order a drink in a casual restaurant. `老板 (Lǎobǎn)` is a common way to address a shopkeeper or restaurant owner.
English: I bought a bottle of perfume at the airport as a gift.
Analysis: Widens the scope to include items like cosmetics and perfume.
Example 9:
超市里，每买一瓶酸奶就送一个勺子。
Pinyin: Chāoshì lǐ, měi mǎi yì píng suānnǎi jiù sòng yí ge sháozi.
English: In the supermarket, for every bottle of yogurt you buy, you get a free spoon.
Analysis: Used in the context of a promotion or sale.
Example 10:
他从酒窖里拿出一瓶1982年的拉菲。
Pinyin: Tā cóng jiǔjiào lǐ ná chū yì píng yī jiǔ bā èr nián de Lāfēi.
English: He took out a bottle of 1982 Lafite from the wine cellar.
Analysis: A more advanced sentence showing `一瓶` used for a specific, high-value item.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the Measure Word.
A beginner might say: `我要一个啤酒 (Wǒ yào yī gè píjiǔ)`.
Why it's wrong: While `个 (gè)` is a general-purpose measure word, it's incorrect for bottled items. It sounds unnatural and marks you as a beginner. You must use the specific measure word `瓶 (píng)`.
Correct: `我要一瓶啤酒 (Wǒ yào yì píng píjiǔ)`.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Tone Change.
Pronouncing the phrase as `yī píng` instead of the natural `yì píng`. While you will be understood, it's a very common pronunciation error. Mastering this tone change will make your spoken Chinese sound much more fluent.
Nuance: `瓶 (píng)` vs. `杯 (bēi)` vs. `罐 (guàn)`
These are not interchangeable. The measure word you choose must match the container.
一瓶 (yì píng): A bottle of… (plastic or glass)
`一瓶水 (yì píng shuǐ)` - a bottle of water
一杯 (yì bēi): A glass/cup of…
`一杯水 (yì bēi shuǐ)` - a glass of water
一罐 (yí guàn): A can of… (typically aluminum)
`一罐可乐 (yí guàn kělè)` - a can of Coke
Related Terms and Concepts
`瓶子 (píngzi)` - The noun for “bottle” itself. `一瓶` is a measure, `瓶子` is the object.
`量词 (liàngcí)` - The grammatical term for “Measure Word” or “Classifier”. `瓶` is a type of `量词`.
`杯 (bēi)` - The measure word for “cup” or “glass.”