CLASSIFIERS Meaning and
Definition
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Classifiers, also known as classifying words or measure words, are a linguistic phenomenon found in various languages, especially those with rich nominal classification systems. In the context of linguistics, classifiers can refer to distinct morphemes, words, or phrases with two major functions: to indicate the classification or categorization of a noun and to assist in counting or quantifying objects.
Classifiers are commonly used in languages such as Mandarin Chinese, Thai, and Japanese, where they add a level of specificity to nouns by indicating their shape, size, or function. They function as intermediaries between the noun and the verb, providing additional information about the object being referred to. For instance, in Mandarin Chinese, when talking about cups, one might use the classifier "个" (ge), which denotes general objects, or "只" (zhi), specifically used for cylindrical objects.
Moreover, classifiers are essential in counting or quantifying objects in certain languages. In English, the word "piece" can be seen as a classifier when we say "two pieces of cake." Similarly, in Mandarin Chinese, classifiers are required when specifying quantities. For example, "liang ge pingguo" means "two apples" with the classifier "ge" used to count the apples.
Classifiers not only provide a more precise description of a noun but also contribute to the grammatical structure and syntax of a sentence. They are an integral part of languages that employ them and play a crucial role in communication by adding specificity and quantification to nouns.
Top Common Misspellings for CLASSIFIERS *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CLASSIFIERS
Etymology of CLASSIFIERS
The word "classifiers" is derived from the noun "classify".
The noun "classify" comes from the French word "classifier", which originated from the Latin word "classificare". "Classificare" is a combination of the Latin word "classis", meaning "category" or "class", and the verb "facere", meaning "to make" or "to do".
Thus, "classify" essentially means "to arrange or categorize into classes or categories". "Classifiers" is the plural form of the noun "classifier", which refers to devices, systems, or methods used to classify or categorize objects or information.
Similar spelling words for CLASSIFIERS
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