Discussion of 遍

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In Chinese, there are two categories of measure words: those indicating units of persons or things, and those indicating the frequency of an action.
As a measure word, 遍 belongs to the second group: verbal measure word. 遍 indicates the complete duration of an action from beginning to end. Example:
我重新读了一遍他的著作。 [phr] I read his work again.
In the sentence above, 一遍 is used as the complement of the verb 读. Here 一遍 refers to 著作 (written work), emphasizing the action has covered the entire book, from the beginning to the end.

If you would like to learn more about other similar verbal measure words, please check out these entries in our dictionary: 次(ci4)，下/下儿 (xia4/xiar4) and 趟 (tang4).

lisaC

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Could you give me another example using 遍 as a measure word? Thank you.

Baldin

So to be clear then, all mw express either units of things / persons or frequency of actions ? Thanks!

justheguy

Hi Baldin, here are some are some more examples:
这个方案我已经反复修改三遍了。 [phr] This program has been repeatedly modified three times by me.
说过很多遍了 [phr] have said (it) so many times
老师罚他把生词写十遍。 [phr] The teacher punished him by ordering him to write the new words ten times.
一遍一遍练习 [phr] to practice over and over again

lisaC

Hi justheguy, yes, those are the two categories of measure words.

lisaC

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Verbal measure words are measure words that indicate the frequency of an action.
1. 次 is the most often used measure word that generally indicates the frequency of an action; 次, as a verbal measure word, can also appear before a noun/nominal phrase which has to be something that can repeatedly happen.
Examples:
这种药每日吃一次。[phr] You should take the medicine once a day.
这次考试很简单。 r/s [phr] The exam was very simple.

2. 下儿 has two different indications. The first one is the number of times that the action happens; the second one indicates an action lasting for a very short time or an action done in a casual way.
Examples:
我用棍子杵了他一下儿。 -/- [phr] I give him a prod with a stick.
我去一下儿。 -/- [phr] I will go there for a moment; I will be away for a moment.

3. 遍 indicates the complete duration of an action from beginning to end. The object of the action usually involves a certain length, usually involving text or language, e.g. article, film, music, words said, etc.
Example:
请重复一遍您的地址。 r/s [phr] Please repeat your address.

4. 趟 indicates an action that involves going back and forth. 趟 can also be used on trains or buses.
Examples:
我去了趟体育场。 r/s [phr] I went to the stadium.
这趟车几点发车？ r/s [phr] What time does the train leave?

lisaC

What is the appropriate context for using the word 遍 (biàn)?

个学生

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The word 遍 (biàn) is used to describe an action that is done everywhere, all over, or all around. It can also be used to describe an action that is done one time, or once through. For example, one might say 她把房间打扫了一遍 (Tā bǎ fángjiān dǎsǎo le yī biàn; She cleaned the room once through).

当老师

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You should add "all over,everywhere" meaning of 遍.For instance 跑遍了全成，
我找遍了也没找找

marclacote

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Thank you very much for your suggestion! We have changed the translation to "everywhere, all over, all around; one time, once through (of an action)". You will not see this change right away if you are using our offline dictionary. It will be reflected next time when we issue a new update for the app.
Thank you very much!

lisaC

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