件
jiàn
One item taken out on its own: 件
The picture Pulling one file out of a drawer and setting it on the desk. One separate item to deal with. 件 is one item taken out and handled on its own; 条 is one line running end to end.
Where the picture shows up in 件
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one off the rack
我买了一件衬衫。
wǒ mǎi le yí jiàn chènshān
I bought a shirt.
Lifting one shirt off the rack, hanger and all.
Tops take 件; trousers and skirts take 条.
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one thing to bring up
我有一件事要跟你说。
wǒ yǒu yí jiàn shì yào gēn nǐ shuō
There's something I need to tell you.
Catching someone by the arm and holding up one finger to raise something.
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one thing handed over
这是一件小礼物。
zhè shì yí jiàn xiǎo lǐwù
This is a small gift.
Offering a small wrapped box on both palms.
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two pieces to check in
我有两件行李要托运。
wǒ yǒu liǎng jiàn xíngli yào tuōyùn
I have two bags to check in.
Lifting bags onto the airport scale one at a time.
All of it in one picture
The shirt off the rack is one item, the matter you raise is one item, the wrapped gift is one item, and each bag on the scale is one item. 件 does not ask whether it is clothing, talk or luggage; it asks whether you can take one out and deal with it on its own. So anything counted with 件 keeps the feeling of being handled separately from the rest. Work, luggage, shirts — all of them come one at a time.