Mastering the Measure Word “个 (gè)” in Mandarin Chinese

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

In Mandarin Chinese, the measure word “个 (gè)” holds significant importance as it’s the most commonly used measure word. Whether you’re describing people, objects, or abstract concepts, “个 (gè)” comes in handy when you can’t think of a more precise measure word. Let’s dive into how to use “个 (gè)” effectively in your everyday Mandarin conversations.

Counting Nouns

Structure: Number + 个 + Noun

When you want to specify the quantity of a noun in Chinese, you’ll typically use a measure word. Here’s how you can use “个 (gè)” with various nouns:

Examples:

1. 一 个 人
   
   yī gè rén
   
   one person
2. 四 个 朋友
   
   sì gè péngyou
   
   four friends
3. 三 个 苹果 手机
   
   sān gè Píngguǒ shǒujī
   
   three iPhones
4. 五 个 星期
   
   wǔ gè xīngqī
   
   five weeks
5. 六 个 月
   
   liù gè yuè
   
   six months
6. 两 个 老婆
   
   liǎng gè lǎopo
   
   two wives

Omitting the Number

Structure: Verb + 个 + Noun

When the quantity is one (1), you can omit the number and simply use “个 (gè)” by itself. It’s akin to saying “a” or “an” in English:

Examples:

1. 他 是 个 老外。
   
   Tā shì gè lǎowài.
   
   He is a foreigner.
2. 我 有 个 儿子。
   
   Wǒ yǒu gè érzi.
   
   I have a son.
3. 她 是 个 好 老师。
   
   Tā shì gè hǎo lǎoshī.
   
   She is a good teacher.
4. 你 想 吃 个 包子 吗？
   
   Nǐ xiǎng chī gè bāozi ma?
   
   Would you like to eat a stuffed steamed bun?
5. 老师，我 有 个 问题。
   
   Lǎoshī, wǒ yǒu gè wèntí.
   
   Teacher, I have a question.

Summary

Mastering the use of “个 (gè)” in Mandarin Chinese allows you to express quantity effectively in various contexts. Whether you’re counting objects, describing people, or asking questions, incorporating “个 (gè)” into your language repertoire will enhance your communication skills. Practice using it in your daily conversations to become more fluent and confident in Mandarin Chinese.