次 / 遍 / 趟 / 下【cì / biàn / tàng / xià】

次, 遍, 趟 and 下 count actions the way 本 or 杯 count things. The number and measure word go after the verb, and after 了 or 过 when there is one.

次, 遍, 趟 or 下

• 次 is the general one: any event that happens more than once.
• 遍 counts times through something from start to finish – reading, listening, saying it again.
• 趟 counts trips there and back.
• 下 counts quick single movements: knocks, taps, nods.

次 and 遍 often both fit, with a difference. 这个电影我看了两次 counts the occasions; 这个电影我看了两遍 says you went through the whole film twice.

一下 after a verb also softens a request (看一下 "have a look"). That use has its own point.

Where the object goes

An ordinary object follows the measure word. A pronoun goes before the number. A place name can go either side.

• × 我见过一次他 → 我见过他一次

The count follows the verb

English can say "twice" early in the sentence. Here the count goes after the verb.

• × 我两次去过北京 → 我去过两次北京
• × 我三遍看了这本书 → 这本书我看了三遍

Ask with 几: 你去过几次？