<p>besides the distinction between the physical book and the work, 部 also implies the massive body of content and the grandeur theme.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-18T12:27:59.187Z
2018-10-18T12:27:59.187Z
Xiaoxiong Lin
<p>The answer is <strong>sometimes</strong>. </p>

<p>The reference to literature does not refer to physical books, but to <em>works</em> of literature. E.g. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>BBC评选21世纪最伟大的<strong>12部小说</strong></p>
  
  <p>(The) twelve greatest 21st century <strong>novels</strong> chosen by the BBC</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The case with 字典 and 詞典 is different, as it can refer to the "work" or to the "book".</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>中国第一部<strong>字典</strong>—说文解字</p>
  
  <p>The first <strong>(character) dictionary</strong> in China, the Shuowen Jiezi</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Note that poetry collection 詩集 can also be used in this way, although individual poems not so.</p>

<p>書 wouldn't go with 部 - it doesn't refer to a <em>work</em>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-18T10:37:33.153Z
2018-10-18T10:37:33.153Z
Michaelyus
<p>So I’ve read that 部 is used for machines, films and literature. So does that mean I can use 部 for words like 书，词典, etc even though they usually go with 本？</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-24T20:24:55.967Z
那部电影把我吓得要死。  this can also work and here 那 may be pronounced nei4 (especially in Taiwan) and it normally comes before a MW (measure word) and means those.  =)
Abe Shudug
<grammar><mandarin><usage>
The use of 部 as a classifier in Mandarin
# The use of 部 as a classifier in Mandarin

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-10-18)

So I’ve read that 部 is used for machines, films and literature. So does that mean I can use 部 for words like 书，词典, etc even though they usually go with 本？

**Tags:** grammar, mandarin, usage
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: 那部电影把我吓得要死。  this can also work and here 那 may be pronounced nei4 (especially in Taiwan) and it normally comes before a MW (measure word) and means those.  =)  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-10-18. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

The answer is **sometimes**.

The reference to literature does not refer to physical books, but to *works* of literature. E.g.

> BBC评选21世纪最伟大的**12部小说**
>
> (The) twelve greatest 21st century **novels** chosen by the BBC

The case with 字典 and 詞典 is different, as it can refer to the "work" or to the "book".

> 中国第一部**字典**—说文解字
>
> The first **(character) dictionary** in China, the Shuowen Jiezi

Note that poetry collection 詩集 can also be used in this way, although individual poems not so.

書 wouldn't go with 部 - it doesn't refer to a *work*.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2018-10-18. Score: 0

besides the distinction between the physical book and the work, 部 also implies the massive body of content and the grandeur theme.


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