个 meaning in English
(classifier used before a noun that has no specific classifier); (bound form) individual
Meaning of 个
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- (classifier used before a noun that has no specific classifier)
- (bound form) individual
- variant of 個|个[ge4]
- used in 自個兒|自个儿[zi4 ge3 r5]
How to use 个
个 is the most common measure word, used between a number or 这/那 and a noun when no special classifier applies. It is often read in the neutral tone (ge) in fast speech. Example: 我有两个朋友。(Wǒ yǒu liǎng ge péngyou.) I have two friends.
Picture 个 as a single person standing with arms out under a roof shape, one upright stroke in the middle. One stroke standing alone is one individual thing, which is why 个 (gè) counts single items.
Common mistake: Learners say 二个 instead of 两个 (liǎng ge) when counting two of something; with measure words you must use 两. Another trap is overusing 个 for nouns that have their own classifier, like 一本书 (yì běn shū), not 一个书, in careful speech.
个 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
个 gè · classifier used before a noun that has … · 3 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
Related words
Words that share a character with 个.
| 个子 | gèzi | stature; height; size (of a person or object); (agriculture) bundle of cereal stalks tied |
| 整个 | zhěnggè | whole; entire |
| 个人 | gèrén | an individual; oneself; (attributive) personal; one's own |
| 个性 | gèxìng | individuality; personality |
| 各个 | gègè | every; various |
| 上个月 | shàng ge yuè | last month |
| 下个月 | xià ge yuè | next month |
| 个别 | gèbié | individually; one by one; just one or two; exceptional; rare |
| 个体 | gètǐ | an individual; self-employed individual; small business operator (abbr. for 個體戶|个体户[ge4 ti |
| 个儿 | gèr | size; height |
| 个案 | gè'àn | individual case; special case |
| 个头儿 | gètóur | size; height |
Questions about 个
What does 个 mean?
个 (gè) means "(classifier used before a noun that has no specific classifier); (bound form) individual" and is used as a measure word.
How do you write 个?
个 is made of 1 character: 个 (3 strokes). That is 3 strokes in total.
Is 个 an HSK word?
Yes. 个 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 个 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 个 is written 個.
Why is 一 pronounced yí before 个?
个 is originally fourth tone (gè), and 一 changes to second tone before a fourth tone. So 一个 is said yí ge, even when 个 itself is read lightly.
What does 个 mean in 自个儿?
In 自个儿 (zìgěr), a northern colloquial word, 个 is read gě and the word means oneself. It is similar to 自己 (zìjǐ) but sounds more casual and regional.