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Measure word 个

HSK 1
  • Measure words

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Numeral个Noun

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

个 is the most common measure word in Chinese, used for people or objects that do not have their own specific measure word.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

个 (gè) is the most versatile and commonly used measure word. When you are unsure which measure word to use, 个 is usually the safest choice. It can be used for people (一个人), objects (一个苹果), and even abstract concepts (一个问题).

Despite its wide usage, you should still try to learn the specific measure words for nouns when possible — for example, 本 for books and 只 for animals — so that your speech sounds more natural and precise.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 我有一个哥哥。
    繁: 我有一個哥哥。Wǒ yǒu yí ge gēge.

    I have an older brother.

  2. 我想吃一个苹果。
    繁: 我想吃一個蘋果。Wǒ xiǎng chī yí ge píngguǒ.

    I want to eat an apple.

  3. 我们班有三个学生。
    繁: 我們班有三個學生。Wǒmen bān yǒu sān ge xuésheng.

    Our class has three students.

  4. 老师，我有一个问题。
    繁: 老師，我有一個問題。Lǎoshī, wǒ yǒu yí ge wèntí.

    Teacher, I have a question.

  5. 他是一个好人。
    繁: 他是一個好人。Tā shì yí ge hǎo rén.

    He is a good person.