Noun and measure words 个、条、把、本、张……
Every noun as a rule has its own specific measure words. Of all the measure words 个 is the most often used. It can be placed before a noun denoting a person, thing or place.
Example:
个 ： 人 ( people ) 学生 ( student ) 商店 ( shop ) 苹果(apple)
本 ： 书 ( book ) 词典 ( dictionary )
张 ： 纸 ( paper ) 报纸 ( newspaper ) 地图 ( map )
条 ： 毛巾 ( towel ) 狗(dog) 鱼(fish)
把 ： 雨伞 ( umbrella )
Measure word
A numeral alone cannot function as an attribute but must be combined with a measure word inserted between the numeral and the noun it modifies.
Example:
一 个 人 one person
两 个 商店 two shops
一 本 书 one book
三 张 地图 three maps