omitting the numeral before a measure word

[freefall]

Can anyone explain the grammar of the omitting-numeral-before-measure-word phenomenon? Under what circumstances is it acceptable, etc.

北京的夏天很热，好像个蒸笼似的。

Thanks!

[djwebb2004]

Yes, this is fine in grammar, but the numeral omitted must be 一, ie one. In some cases, omitted the "one" will make it more like an indefinite article "a/an" , but that's not to say that every indefinite article in English is translated by an omitted numeral followed by a measure word in Chinese...

[HashiriKata]

Just to give you a starter: in informal speech, the number one (yi) is often omitted before a measure word (as in your example: 个蒸笼 instead of 一个蒸笼). I'm not aware of any other numerals that can be omitted before a measure word.

By the way, your thread title is about "omitting the numeral before a measure word" but your question is about "omitting-measure-word". They're two different things, aren't they?

[freefall]

By the way, your thread title is about "omitting the numeral before a measure word" but your question is about "omitting-measure-word". They're two different things, aren't they?

Oops Topic edited.

[againstwind]

in informal speech, the number one (yi) is often omitted before a measure word

Yes, if the number is one, it can generally be omitted.

But, pay attention please!

It is right when the measure word is followed by a NOUN.

If the measure word is followed by a verb or a noun referring to an action, usually the number one can't be omitted.

e.g.

他简直不是个人——是个魔鬼！

不过就是只老鼠，有什么好怕的？ correct

* 个不小心，他把手指划破了。

* 他个箭步跳了上去。

* 他个跟头栽了下来。 incorrect one can not be omitted