Definition
个 (gè) is the most common general classifier (measure word) in Chinese. It is used between a number/demonstrative and a noun when the noun has no specific classifier (e.g., 一个人 'one person', 这个 'this'). Unlike 个人 (gè rén, HSK5) or 个体 (gè tǐ, HSK6), which are nouns meaning 'individual person/entity', 个 is a classifier and never stands alone as a noun.
classifier
general individual classifier for people and objects without a specific classifier
Easily confused
- 歌gēsound-alikesong
- 各gèsound-alike(determiner) each, every (used before a noun to refer to every individual member of a group)
- 割gēsound-aliketo cut (with a blade); to sever
- 隔gésound-aliketo separate, to be at a distance from (spatially)
- 搁gēsound-aliketo put, to place (informal, often in northern dialects)
Examples
- 。Wǒ jiā yǒu yí gè rén.There is one person in my family.
- 。Zhè gè píngguǒ hěn dà.This apple is very big.
- 个？Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè péngyǒu?How many friends do you have?
Grammar
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