Difference between revisions of "Measure word "ge""
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| − | The [[measure word]] 个 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 | + | 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. |
== General structure == | == General structure == | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | You can specify the quantity of any noun with this structure. Note that any 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. |
Some examples: | Some examples: | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
== Omitting the number == | == Omitting the number == | ||
| − | If the number is one, you can omit it. 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." |
| − | Some examples: | + | Some examples of that: |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 他 是 <em>个</em> | + | * 他 是 <em>个</em> 好人。 |
| − | * | + | * 那 不 是 <em>个</em> 苹果。 |
| − | * 我 是 <em>个</em> | + | * 我 是 <em>个</em> 英国人。 |
</div> | </div> | ||
| Line 43: | Line 43: | ||
* [[Measure words in quantity questions]] | * [[Measure words in quantity questions]] | ||
* [[Measure words for counting]] | * [[Measure words for counting]] | ||
| + | * [[Measure words to differentiate]] | ||
== Sources and further reading == | == Sources and further reading == | ||
Revision as of 13:56, 21 January 2012
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.
Contents
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.
Some examples:
- 一 个 人
- 两 个 人
- 三 个 苹果
- 一 个 三明治
- 八十 个 诗人
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。
- 那 不 是 个 苹果。
- 我 是 个 英国人。
See also
- Counting money
- Measure words in quantity questions
- Measure words for counting
- Measure words to differentiate
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 45 - 46) →buy
Websites
- Chinese classifier (Wikipedia)
