====== yībēi: 一杯 - A Cup of / A Glass of ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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".
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
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 Sentences =====
  * **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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **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.)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * **[[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.