一颗颗 (yī kē kē) — (reduplicated classifier) each and every (small round object); one by one

Definition

The classifier 颗 reduplicated with 一 gives a vivid ‘one by one / each and every’ feel for small round things (pearls, candies, stars) — more emphatic than using 颗 alone.

numeral
(reduplicated classifier) each and every (small round object)one by one

Examples

  • 一颗颗。
    Tā dài zhe yì yī kē kē yī kē kē zhēn zhū xiàng liàn.
    She is wearing a pearl necklace, each pearl distinct.
  • 一颗颗。
    Tiān kōng zhōng yǒu yì yī kē kē yī kē kē shǎn liàng de xīng xing.
    There are shining stars in the sky, each one twinkling.
  • 一颗颗一颗颗。
    Tā yī kē kē yī kē kē dì shǔ zhe pán zi lǐ de táng guǒ.
    He counts the candies in the plate one by one.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 顆; 颗 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yèhead
Sound part声符shēngfú
果
果guǒ顆kē
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 顆 combines 果, which gives the sound, with 頁, meaning head. This is about 顆, not the simplified 颗.

Open 颗 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 顆; 颗 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yèhead
Sound part声符shēngfú
果
果guǒ顆kē
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 顆 combines 果, which gives the sound, with 頁, meaning head. This is about 顆, not the simplified 颗.

Open 颗 →

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