More measure words

Most nouns have a measure word they prefer, and the choice usually follows the shape or kind of thing: 条(tiáo) for long, bending things, 辆(liàng) for vehicles, 双(shuāng) for pairs. A few count actions instead of things — 次(cì) and 遍(biàn) say how many times. 个(gè) is understood almost anywhere, but the right measure word is a large part of what makes a sentence sound Chinese.