 The categorical , " classical " view of classifiers was that each classifier represents a category with a set of conditions ; for example , the classifier 条 ( 條 ) tiáo would represent a category defined as all objects that meet the conditions of being long , thin , and one @-@ dimensional — and nouns using that classifier must fit all the conditions with which the category is associated . Some common semantic categories into which count @-@ classifiers have been claimed to organize nouns include the categories of shape ( long , flat , or round ) , size ( large or small ) , consistency ( soft or hard ) , animacy ( human , animal , or object ) , and function ( tools , vehicles , machines , etc . ) . 
