Usage note
台是量词，也表示平台或台子。
tái shì liàng cí， yě biǎo shì píng tái huò tái zi。
Counter is a measure word and can also mean a platform or stand.
Context note
台常用于机器、电视和场所。
tái cháng yòng yú jī qì 、 diàn shì hé chǎng suǒ。
Counter often appears with machines, TV, and places.
5 examples
一台电脑。
yì tái diàn nǎo。
One computer.
两台车。
liǎng tái chē。
Two cars.
台上有话筒。
tái shàng yǒu huà tǒng。
There is a microphone on the platform.
这台机器很好。
zhè tái jī qì hěn hǎo。
This machine is very good.
请把东西放在台上。
qǐng bǎ dōng xī fàng zài tái shàng。
Please put the thing on the counter.
5 mini stories
老师在台上讲话。
lǎo shī zài tái shàng jiǎng huà。
The teacher spoke on the platform.
我买了一台新电脑。
wǒ mǎi le yì tái xīn diàn nǎo。
I bought a new computer.
电视台正在放新闻。
diàn shì tái zhèng zài fàng xīn wén。
The TV station is broadcasting the news.
这台机器运转得很好。
zhè tái jī qì yùn zhuǎn dé hěn hǎo。
This machine works very well.
演出结束后，大家都上台合影。
yǎn chū jié shù hòu， dà jiā dōu shàng tái hé yǐng。
After the performance, everyone went on stage for a photo.
Mini dialogue
买电脑
A
你家有几台电脑？
Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ tái diànnǎo?
How many computers do you have at home?
B
我家有两台电脑。
Wǒ jiā yǒu liǎng tái diànnǎo.
I have two computers at home.
新电视
A
这台电视真大！
Zhè tái diànshì zhēn dà!
This TV is really big!
B
是啊，是我爸爸新买的。
Shì a, shì wǒ bàba xīn mǎi de.
Yes, my dad just bought it.
Related words and contrasts
similar
架
jià
MW for machines, planes, etc.
Both are measure words for machines. 台 is common for bigger equipment like computers and TVs; 架 is often used for planes or items with a frame.