classifier
- noun
- /ˈklæsɪfaɪər/
- Specialized
- Japanese uses a classifier system where different words indicate various categories, like animals or furniture.
Examples
-
In Mandarin, a classifier is used when counting objects, such as saying 'three pieces of paper'.
-
Age categories as temporal classifiers are evident in the candle-lighting (VI) and chair-lifting (VIII) at Amir's party.
Academic text (1991) -
These celebrations adumbrate age categories as numerical classifiers that signify time.
Academic text (1991) -
The classifier 'pair' is commonly used to refer to two items used together, like socks or shoes.
Compounds
- Specialized
A simple method that uses chance to put items into groups, assuming each detail acts alone
- Specialized
A model that gives the chance of each possible class for an input, for example whether an email is spam
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word classifier comes from class meaning 'group' and the ending -er meaning 'one that shows', so a helpful way to remember the grammar use is to think of a small word that 'shows the group' of a noun. In languages like Mandarin and Japanese, a classifier is that small word used when you count things to show their category.