Definitions

(classifier) classifier for small round objects (pearls, corn grains, teeth etc)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character '颗' derives from its traditional form '顆', which integrates the semantic component '頁' pertaining to the head and the phonetic component '果' indicating sound. Initially, this character described small, round objects like grains or kernels, likely drawing a metaphorical link to the head's shape. Over time, its meaning shifted to primarily function as a measure word for small, roundish items such as pearls, teeth, or pieces of fruit, reflecting an expansion from a concrete noun to a grammatical classifier. The structural design, with '頁' evoking roundness and '果' sustaining phonetic cues, underscores this adaptation in usage while maintaining the character's etymological foundation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他吃了一糖。

Ta1 chi1 le5 yi1 ke1 tang2.

He ate a piece of candy.

珍珠很漂亮。

Zhe4 ke1 zhen1 zhu1 hen3 piao4 liang5.

This pearl is very beautiful.

妈妈买了几草莓。

Ma1 ma5 mai3 le5 ji3 ke1 cao3 mei2.

Mom bought some strawberries.

我丢了一纽扣,很着急。

Wo3 diu1 le5 yi1 ke1 niu3 kou4, hen3 zhao2 ji2.

I lost a button and am very anxious.

她有一善良的心。

Ta1 you3 yi1 ke1 shan4 liang2 de5 xin1.

She has a kind heart.

钻石的价值超过十万元。

Zhe4 ke1 zuan4 shi2 de5 jia4 zhi2 chao1 guo4 shi2 wan4 yuan2.

The value of this diamond exceeds 100,000 yuan.

医生建议我每天吃一维生素片。

Yi1 sheng1 jian4 yi4 wo3 mei3 tian1 chi1 yi1 ke1 wei2 sheng1 su4 pian4.

The doctor advised me to take one vitamin tablet daily.

在夜空中最亮的星星,引导着迷失的旅人。

Na4 ke1 zai4 ye4 kong1 zhong1 zui4 liang4 de5 xing1 xing5, yin3 dao3 zhe5 mi2 shi1 de5 lv3 ren2.

That brightest star in the night sky guides lost travelers.