Measure word "gè"

个 (gè) is the most commonly used measure word. It can be used in a pinch for any noun if you can't think of a more precise measure word. (Although you might not sound quite as smart, you'll still get your point across). Also, for many nouns, 个 (gè) is the only correct measure word.

1 General Structure
- 1.1 Structure
- 1.2 Examples
2 Omitting the number
- 2.1 Structure
- 2.2 Examples
3 See also
4 Sources and further reading
- 4.1 Books
- 4.2 Websites

General Structure

Structure

The general structure for 个 (gè) and measure words in general is:

Number + 个 + Noun

Any time you want to state how many of a noun in Chinese, you probably need a measure word. First get used to expressing it with 个 (gè).

Examples

一个人
yī gè rén
one person
四个朋友
sì gè péngyou
four friends
三个苹果手机
sān gè Píngguǒ shǒujī
three iPhones
五个星期
wǔ gè xīngqī
five weeks
六个月
liù gè yuè
six months
两个老婆 If you're wondering why it's 两 and not 二，see our article on "èr" and "liǎng"
liǎng gè lǎopo
two wives
十个男人，七个傻，八个坏。
shí gè nánrén, qī gè shǎ, bā gè huài.
Ten men: seven are fools, and eight are bad.

Omitting the number

Structure

Verb + 个 + Noun

If the number is one (1), you can omit it and use 个 (gè) by itself. This is equivalent to a or an in English, for example in "a person" or "an idiot." (The tone on 个 (gè) is normally neutral for this usage, but you don't need to stress about it.)

Examples

他是个老外。
Tā shì ge lǎowài.
He is a foreigner.
我有个儿子。
Wǒ yǒu ge érzi.
I have a son.
她是个好老师。
Tā shì ge hǎo lǎoshī.
She is a good teacher.
你想吃个包子吗？
Nǐ xiǎng chī ge bāozi ma?
Would you like to eat a stuffed steamed bun?
老师，我有个问题。
Lǎoshī, wǒ yǒu ge wènti.
Teacher, I have a question.

Measure word "gè"

Contents

General Structure

Structure

Examples

Omitting the number

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites