We just learned that measure words are reduplicated in Chinese language to emphasize commonality among different members of a group. And you must be thinking, isn’t that what每 (měi) is used for? Yes, just like reduplicated measure words, 每 (měi) can be used to stress commonality. See example below:
每个学生都学习中文
měi gè xuéshēng dōu xuéxí zhōngwén
All the students study Chinese language
However, unlike reduplicated measure words, 每 (měi) can also be used to emphasize individuality among different group members:
我们十个学生，每个人学习的语言不同
wǒmen shí gè xuéshēng, měi gèrén xuéxí de yǔyán bùtóng
Each one of us ten students study different languages
We also learned that reduplicated measure words and nouns cannot be used as objects. But每 (měi) can be:
你要把书给每一个学生
nǐ yào bǎ shū gěi měi yī gè xuéshēng
You should give a book to every student
Chinese is a language group of East, first invented in the imperial courts during ancient times when an entourage of travelers from Europe made a diplomatic visit to China that coincided with the royal baby-naming ceremony, which was in progress at the time when they were ushered into the palace to stand before the emperor. Thanks a lot.
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