Chinese word

个

Pronunciation

Pinyingè

Meaning

  • measure wordgeneral classifier

Example

我有一个苹果。wǒ yǒu yí gè píng guǒ

I have an apple.

Illustration for 个 (general classifier)

More examples

你有几个苹果？nǐ yǒu jǐ gè píng guǒ

How many apples do you have?

Core concept

The ordinary unit for counting one whole item when its special shape or type is not being highlighted.

Common phrases

  • 一个人yí gè rén

    one person

  • 一个苹果yí gè píng guǒ

    one apple

  • 两个人liǎng gè rén

    two people

Similar words

张zhāng: A measure word for counting thin, flat objects such as sheets of paper and tickets.
本běn: A measure word for counting bound books, magazines, and other booklets.
只zhǐ: A measure word for counting animals or one of a matched pair.
位wèi: A respectful measure word for counting people.

Definition in Chinese

作为最常见的量词，用于表示单独的一项或一个单位，也可在不确定具体量词时作为通用替代，位于数词和名词之间。zuò wéi zuì cháng jiàn de liàng cí yòng yú biǎo shì dān dú de yí xiàng huò yí gè dān wèi yě kě zài bú què dìng jù tǐ liàng cí shí zuò wéi tōng yòng tì dài wèi yú shù cí hé míng cí zhī jiān

Word origin

The character 个 (gè, "general classifier") is the simplified form of an older character used for an individual unit, which fits its wide modern counting role.

Usage tips

  • This classifier is a useful default when a more specific classifier is not known, but familiar nouns may call for a different classifier.

Word lists with this word