Difference between revisions of "Measure word "ge""
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The [[measure word]] 个 (ge) is the most common measure word. It can be used for any noun if you can't think of a more precise measure word. Also, for many nouns, 个 ''is'' the correct measure word.
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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 ==
 
== General structure ==

Revision as of 08:07, 28 January 2013

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

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

  • 一 个 人one person
  • 两 个 人two people
  • 三 个 苹果three apples
  • 一 个 三明治one sandwich
  • 八十 个 诗人eighty poets

Omitting the number

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."

Some examples of that:

  • 他 是 个 好人。You are a good person.
  • 那 不 是 个 苹果。That is an apple.
  • 我 是 个 美国人。I am an American.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

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