Difference between revisions of "Measure word "ge""

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== General Structure ==
 
== General Structure ==
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=== Structure ===
  
 
The general structure for 个 (and measure words in general) is:
 
The general structure for 个 (and measure words in general) is:
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You can specify the quantity of any noun with this structure. Note that any time you want to state ''how many'' of a noun in Chinese, you probably need a measure word.  First get used to doing it with 个.
 
You can specify the quantity of any noun with this structure. Note that any time you want to state ''how many'' of a noun in Chinese, you probably need a measure word.  First get used to doing it with 个.
  
== Examples ==
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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== Omitting the number Structure==
 
== Omitting the number Structure==
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=== Structure ===
  
 
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<div class="jiegou">
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If the number is one (1), you can omit it and use 个 by itself. This is equivalent to ''a'' or ''an'' in English, for example in "a person" or "an idiot."
 
If the number is one (1), you can omit it and use 个 by itself. This is equivalent to ''a'' or ''an'' in English, for example in "a person" or "an idiot."
  
== Examples ==
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">

Revision as of 03:04, 14 February 2014

The measure word 个 (ge) is the most common measure word. It can be used in a pinch for any noun if you can't think of a more precise measure word. (Although you might not sound quite as smart, you'll still get your point across.) Also, for many nouns, 个 is the only correct measure word.

General Structure

Structure

The general structure for 个 (and measure words in general) is:

Number + 个 + Noun

You can specify the quantity of any noun with this structure. Note that any time you want to state how many of a noun in Chinese, you probably need a measure word. First get used to doing it with 个.

Examples

  • one ball
  • (If you're wondering why it's 两 and not 二,see our article on "Er" and "liang")two people
  • 苹果 three apples
  • 三明治 four sandwiches
  • 星期 five weeks
  • 杯子 six cups/glasses
  • 女朋友seven girlfriends
  • 八 十 小孩 eighty children
  • 一 百 美 女 one hundred beautiful girls
  • 男人, 七 傻, 八 ten men, seven are fools, and eight are bad

Omitting the number Structure

Structure

Verb + 个 + Noun

If the number is one (1), you can omit it and use 个 by itself. This is equivalent to a or an in English, for example in "a person" or "an idiot."

Examples

  • 他 是 好人 。He is a good person.
  • 那 不 是 苹果 。That is not an apple.
  • 他 是 法国 人 。He is a Frenchman.
  • 这 是 手机。This is a cellphone.
  • 我 爸爸 是 老板。My boss is a boss.
  • 你 是 好 老师 。You are a good teacher.
  • 我 有 儿子 。I have a son.
  • 给 我 面包 。Give me a bun.
  • 我 想 吃 橙子 。I'd like to eat an orange.
  • 老师 , 我 有 问题 。Teacher, I have a question.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites