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个gè(classifier used before a noun that has no specific classifier)

HSK 1word

By Chinese Copilot · Last updated

个 (gè) means the general measure word (classifier) used before many nouns that have no more specific classifier. With a number it forms Number + 个 + Noun, as in 一个人 "one person." Beginners often default to 个 when they are unsure which measure word to use.

What does 个 mean?

  1. 1.

    (classifier used before a noun that has no specific classifier)measure word

  2. 2.

    (bound form) individualbound form

What does the character 个 mean?

  • 个(classifier used before a noun that has no specific classifier)

How do you use 个?

Grammar patterns

  1. 1

    Number + 个 + Noun

    To count people or many everyday nouns, put a number before 个, then the noun. 个 is the default measure word when no special classifier is needed.

Chinese needs a measure word between a number and a noun; 个 fills that slot for many nouns, and 两 replaces 二 before measure words (两个, not 二个).

Patterns

  • 一 + 个 + Noun

    我认识一个老师。

    Wǒ rènshi yí gè lǎoshī.

    I know a teacher.

  • 两 + 个 + Noun

    我们两个都去。

    Wǒmen liǎng gè dōu qù.

    The two of us are both going.

What are some examples of 个 in a sentence?

  1. HSK 1

    这里有一个人。

    Zhèlǐ yǒu yí gè rén.

    There is one person here.

  2. HSK 1

    我有两个朋友。

    Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè péngyou.

    I have two friends.

  3. HSK 1

    他买了一个手机。

    Tā mǎi le yí gè shǒujī.

    He bought a phone.

  4. HSK 1

    请给我三个苹果。

    Qǐng gěi wǒ sān gè píngguǒ.

    Please give me three apples.

How is 个 used in a conversation?

  1. Speaker A:

    你家有几个人？

    Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ gè rén?

    How many people are in your family?

  2. Speaker B:

    我家有三个人。

    Wǒ jiā yǒu sān gè rén.

    There are three people in my family.

  3. Speaker A:

    你有几个朋友？

    Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè péngyou?

    How many friends do you have?

  4. Speaker B:

    我有两个朋友。

    Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè péngyou.

    I have two friends.

  5. Speaker A:

    你要几个苹果？

    Nǐ yào jǐ gè píngguǒ?

    How many apples do you want?

  6. Speaker B:

    我要三个。

    Wǒ yào sān gè.

    I want three.

Can you use 个 correctly?

0 of 3 answered
  1. 1.Fill in the blank: 这里有一___人。
  2. 2.Which correctly says "two friends"?
  3. 3.Fill in the blank: 他买了___个手机。

What should you learn next?

Related words

Browse every entry in the Chinese word dictionary.

English glosses on this page are adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG (snapshot 2026-10-23), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Glosses were edited for learners.