The word "一个" is formed through the direct combination of two discrete characters: the numeral "一" (yī), meaning "one", and the ubiquitous general measure word "个" (gè), which acts as a neutral classifier for individual, quantifiable units. It is a conceptual pairing where the numeral modifies and gives specific quantity to the abstract, container-like function of the measure word, creating a fixed, standard unit meaning "a single one" or "one unit of". This formation represents a fundamental and frequent pattern in Mandarin for constructing numerical expressions involving nouns.