📘 Intermediate — key word for HSK 3-4
Meaning
Classifier meaning 'a dozen' (12 items). From English 'dozen'.
🏮 Cultural Story
中文 Chinese
"打"作为量词是个外来户！它来自英文单词"dozen"的音译。一打正好等于12个。"一打鸡蛋"就是12个鸡蛋，"两打啤酒"就是24罐啤酒。这个借词在清末民初进入中文，当时中国和西方贸易频繁，很多外国商品都是按"打"来卖的（鸡蛋、饼干、毛巾、铅笔）。现在"打"依然很常用，特别是在买日用品的时候。有趣的是，中国人很少意识到这是个英文外来词——它已经完全融入中文了！
English
**打 (dá)** as a classifier is a loanword from English "dozen"! Exactly 12 items. "A dozen eggs" = 12 eggs, "two dozen beers" = 24 cans. Entered Chinese during late Qing/early Republic era when China-West trade flourished — many foreign goods sold by the dozen (eggs, cookies, towels, pencils). Still commonly used today for daily purchases. Interestingly, few Chinese realize this is an English loanword — it's fully assimilated!
💡 Memory Tip
Always exactly 12! A loanword from English 'dozen'. Common in shopping contexts.
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Classifier meaning 'a dozen' (12 items). From English 'dozen'.