顆 meaning and stroke order
Grain, kernel
How to write 顆, stroke by stroke
17 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 顆
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- classifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grains, teeth, hearts, satellites etc
How 顆 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Grain.
果 gives the meaning and 頁 hints at the sound.
Radical: 頁 (page), shared by 45 characters on this site.
How to remember 顆
顆 combines 果 (guǒ, fruit) on the left with 頁 on the right. Picture a small round fruit or seed, and you have the idea of a grain or kernel, something small and round you can count one by one.
顆 (kē) is mainly a measure word for small round things, such as pearls, teeth, stars, candies, and even hearts and satellites. It also appears in words like 颗粒 (kēlì, granule). Example: 一顆星星 (yì kē xīngxing) one star.
Common mistake: Learners often use 個 (gè) for everything, but 顆 sounds more natural for small round objects like 一顆糖 (yì kē táng, a piece of candy). Also do not confuse the left part 果 with 課 (kè, lesson), which has 言 on the left and a different tone.
Common words with 顆
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 顆粒 | kēlì | kernel; granule |
Questions about 顆
How many strokes are in 顆?
顆 is written with 17 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 顆 mean?
顆 (kē) means grain, kernel. A common word with it is 颗粒 (kēlì), meaning "kernel; granule".
How do you pronounce 顆?
顆 is pronounced kē, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 顆?
The radical of 顆 is 頁, which carries the idea of "page". Dictionaries list 顆 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 顆?
顆 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 颗, used in mainland China and Singapore.
Why do Chinese speakers say 一顆心 for a heart?
A heart is thought of as a small rounded object, so 顆 is the standard measure word for it. You will hear it often in songs and poems, as in 一顆真心 (yì kē zhēnxīn, a sincere heart).
What is the difference between 顆 and 粒 (lì)?
Both count small round things, but 粒 is usually for very tiny items like rice grains or sand. 顆 covers slightly bigger items like teeth, pearls, and stars, and many speakers use 顆 for both in casual speech.