艘

• Pinyin: sōu
• Hanzi breakdown: 艘 = 舟 (boat/ship radical) + 叟 (phonetic component indicating pronunciation) — a measure word for ships and vessels

Meaning

A measure word used to count ships, boats, submarines, and other large watercraft. The standard classifier for sea vessels of significant size.

Specifically used for watercraft of substantial size, including warships, cargo ships, ferries, ocean liners, and submarines. Not typically used for small rowboats or simple rafts, which use 只 or 条. Common in naval, shipping, historical, and news contexts. Essential vocabulary for anyone reading Chinese media coverage of maritime affairs.

Examples

1. 这次联合海上演习共出动了十二艘军舰，演练范围覆盖了整个黄海及部分东海海域，持续时间长达一周。 This joint naval exercise deployed twelve warships and covered the entire Yellow Sea and parts of the East China Sea, lasting a full week.
2. 港口内停靠着数艘装载量超过十万吨的超级货轮，它们将于明晨满载货物启程驶向各个目的地港口。 Several supertankers with a capacity of over 100,000 tons are docked in the harbor; they will set off at dawn tomorrow fully loaded for their destination ports.
3. 考古人员在水下发现了一艘保存较为完好的古代沉船，初步判断该船沉没于约八百年前的某次风暴之中。 Archaeologists discovered an ancient shipwreck underwater that is relatively well preserved; preliminary judgment is that it sank in a storm about 800 years ago.

Usage Guide

Context: naval, shipping, news, history, archaeology

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 据报道，此次搜救任务共动员了五艘海警船只和两架直升机，在指定海域展开了密集的地毯式搜索行动。(According to reports, the search-and-rescue operation mobilised five coast guard vessels and two helicopters, conducting an intensive grid search across the designated sea area.)
• 博物馆内展出的那艘复原古船令参观者叹为观止，其精妙的榫卯结构充分展现了古代造船工匠的高超技艺与智慧。(The restored ancient vessel on display at the museum left visitors in awe; its exquisite mortise-and-tenon structure fully demonstrated the remarkable skill and ingenuity of ancient shipbuilders.)

Don't Say

• 不要用 艘 计数小型船只如木筏或小舢板 — 那些通常用 只 或 条；不说'一艘小木筏'，应说'一只木筏'

Origin & History

艘 = 舟 (boat radical) + 叟 (phonetic component) — a measure word specifically for watercraft

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal