3.7.2: Measure word "ge"

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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.

Counting Nouns

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 how they are used with 个 (gè).

Examples

一个人yī gè rénone person
四个朋友sì gè péngyoufour friends
三个苹果手机sān gè Píngguǒ shǒujīthree iPhones
五个星期wǔ gè xīngqīfive weeks
六个月liù gè yuèsix months
两个老婆liǎng gè lǎopotwo wives
十个男人，七个傻，八个坏。A line from a songShí 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 similar to "a" or "an" in English, for example in "a person" or "an idiot." (The tone on 个 (gè) is normally somewhat de-emphasized in this usage, but still written as fourth tone. You don't need to stress about it, though.)

Examples

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

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Counting Nouns

Structure

Examples

Omitting the Number

Structure

Examples

See also