一杯
yì bēi
one cup / one glass
一杯 uses 杯 as the measure word for cups and glasses. It is common when ordering drinks in restaurants and cafés.
Example sentences
我要一杯水。
Wǒ yào yì bēi shuǐ.
I would like a glass of water.
请给我一杯咖啡。
Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi kāfēi.
Please give me a cup of coffee.
How to use 一杯 in practice
一杯 is a measure words item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin yì bēi, then connect it to the meaning “one cup / one glass” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 我要一杯水。 / 请给我一杯咖啡。.
When you practice 一杯, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 一杯 only as “one cup / one glass” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Chinese measure words, start a short conversation, and use 一杯 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 一杯 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only yì bēi, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
Why does 一 become yì in 一杯?
一 changes tone before a first, second, or third tone syllable. Before 杯, it is pronounced yì.
How can I remember 一杯 faster?
Say 一杯 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 一杯 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 一杯 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach