HSK 3
Correct

张 vs 条

/ zhāng vs tiáo /
Strokes
https://i.cchatty2.com/filters:format(webp)/fit-in/684x0/img/202005/张vs条-Chinese-grammar-Cchatty-yyyy-1589851772.jpg

Formula

1
一 + 张 + 画
2
一 + 幅 + 画
3
一张桌子(床)
4
一个箱子
5
一面墙(镜子)(旗帜)

Definition

张 and 条 are both Measure Words (量词):

 

1, 张 is used for flat objects, for desks, tables, paper, etc.

2, 条 is used for strip-shaped objects, for clothes, lines, and also for something abstract.

Example

张, used for flat objects which have two sides and can be spread out or rolled up.
张 is a measure word for paper. A picture drawn on a piece of paper is known as 一张画 or 一幅画, while a picture drawn on a piece of cloth, silk or a wall is only known as 一幅.

In addition, a painting that has been decorated such as being framed is also known as 一幅画.
一 + 张 + 画 一 + 幅 + 画
1
zhāng
zhǐ
  
/
zhāng
piàn
卡片
  
/
zhāng
xiàngpiàn
相片

a piece of paper / a card / a photograph

2
Qiángshàng
墙上
guà
zhāo
zhāng
  
(
  
)
huà
  

There is a painting on the wall.

张, used as a measure word for flat surfaces or objects with a flat surface.
The essential feature of a desk or bed is its flat surface. This is why we can say 一张桌子/床.
A 箱子 also has a flat surface, but the space inside the 箱子 is the most important.

Therefore, we can only say 一个箱子. What's more, the measure word 面, instead of 张, is used for things like 墙, 镜子, and 旗帜 despite the fact that they also have a flat surface.
一张桌子(床) 一个箱子 一面墙(镜子)(旗帜)
3
zhāng
zhuōzi
桌子
  
/
zhāng
liǎn
  
/
zhāng
CD
CD

a desk / a face / a CD

4
xiāngzi
箱子
  
/
miàn
jìngzi
镜子

a box / a mirror

张, used for things that can be opened or stretched out and drawn back
5
zhāng
zuǐ
  
/
zhāng
gōng

a mouth / a bow

条 is used for strip-shaped objects.
1) It is used for transportation facilities

2) It is used for clothes and daily necessities

3) It is used for strip-shaped animals or body parts

4) It is used for lines. Note: 一条线 is a line that is drawn, but 一根线 refers to a real piece of thread
6
tiáo
  
/
tiáo
  
/
tiáo
qúnzi
裙子

a river / a road / a skirt

7
tiáo
shé
  
/
tiáo
tuǐ
  
/
tiáo
xiàn
线

a snake / a leg / one line

条, used for something abstract
8
tiáo
duǎnxìn
短信
  
/
tiáo
xīnwén
新闻

a text message / a piece of news

9
shūguǎn
图书馆
yǒu
shí
tiáo
guīdìng
规定
  

There are ten rules in the library.

Exercise

Fill in the blanks with 张 or 条:

 

1. 一( )笑脸

2. 一( )纸

3. 一( )规定

4. 两( )腿

5. 房间里只有一( )床。

6. 她有一( )书法比赛的奖状。

7. 一( )香烟里有10包香烟。

8. 这( )报纸上有20( )新闻。