Hi peter, it is nice to see someone who really want to get a clear understanding of Chinese. To explain such words, we call “量词” or “数量词” in Chinese, and people put it before almost EVERY noun. So if you gradually increase your vocabulary in "量词", you will see that it is there for a good reason-to be more descriptive in terms of the specifc noun. For example, you can use 本 for both a book, and also a dictionary and even an album; you can use 辆 (another量词) for both car and motor cycle... The list goes on, and there are many gramatic rules concerning such 量词. You can add me as friend, and I will answer your questions when I am available! Jacob