HSK 7
数词+量词+抽象事物
shù cí + liàng cí + chōu xiàng shì wù
Numeral + Measure word + Abstract thing
Explanation
This is the use of 'numeral + measure word' (a word indicating a unit of counting, like 'a' or 'a piece of') with ABSTRACT things (talent, an atmosphere of harmony...) to describe them vividly and with expressive coloring.
一 (yī, one) + measure word + abstract noun (e.g. 一身本领 yì shēn běnlǐng = full of ability; 一团和气 yì tuán héqì = an air of harmony). The measure word here is used metaphorically: 身 (shēn, the whole body) indicates 'filling the entire person', 团 (tuán, a lump/mass) indicates 'a single enveloping mass'.
in writing or vivid speech, to make the abstract concrete and more striking than dryly saying 'has a lot of talent'.
many such phrases are fixed combinations (一身本领, 一团和气, 一肚子委屈), so learn them as set phrases.
arbitrarily pairing measure words with abstract nouns (you cannot casually say 一个本领 with the meaning 'full of'); and here the numeral is usually 一 and rarely replaced by another number.
Examples
He is full of ability and quite talented.
Their whole family lives in harmony and has never quarreled.
Practice
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Learn “数词+量词+抽象事物” effectively
The grammar point “数词+量词+抽象事物” (Numeral + Measure word + Abstract thing) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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