棵 meaning and stroke order
Classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc
How to write 棵, stroke by stroke
12 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 棵
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc
How 棵 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Tree.
木 gives the meaning and 果 hints at the sound.
Radical: 木 (tree), shared by 388 characters on this site.
How to remember 棵
棵 is a tree 木 (mù) standing next to fruit 果 (guǒ). Picture counting trees by the fruit hanging on them, and 果 also hints at the sound, since guǒ and kē share a similar feel.
棵 is a measure word for trees, plants, and leafy vegetables like cabbage. It goes between a number or 这/那 and the noun. Example: 院子里有两棵树。(Yuànzi lǐ yǒu liǎng kē shù.) There are two trees in the yard.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 棵 (kē) with 颗 (kē), which sounds the same but counts small round things like 一颗星星 (yì kē xīngxing) or 一颗牙. Use 棵 with the 木 tree side for plants, and 颗 for stars, teeth, pearls, and hearts.
棵 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 棵
How many strokes are in 棵?
棵 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 棵 mean?
棵 (kē) means classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc.
How do you pronounce 棵?
棵 is pronounced kē, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 棵?
The radical of 棵 is 木, which carries the idea of "tree". Dictionaries list 棵 under this radical.
Is 棵 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 棵 is part of the HSK 4 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
Can I use 个 instead of 棵 for trees?
In casual speech some people say 一个树, but it sounds wrong to most native speakers. 一棵树 (yì kē shù) is the standard and natural choice.
Does 棵 work for flowers and grass?
Yes, 棵 can count individual plants such as 一棵草 (yì kē cǎo), a blade or clump of grass. For cut flowers, 朵 (duǒ) is more common, as in 一朵花.