个

個/箇

gě, gè

丨 + 人

HSK 2.0Level 1

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

gè (classifier) general classifier for people and objects

gè (noun) individual; piece

Etymology

Pictograph of one stalk of bamboo. Same as one half of the character for bamboo (竹).

About

The simplified character 个 originated as a pictograph of a single bamboo stalk, one half of 竹 (bamboo), and first served as a measure word for bamboo stems. The traditional form 個 combines the person radical 亻 with the phonetic 固 (gù). Today, 个 is the most common generic classifier, placed between a numeral or demonstrative and a noun to count individual units, often substituting for more specific measure words in colloquial speech. It also acts as a structural particle in some verb-complement phrases.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我有一个苹果。

Wǒ yǒu yī gè píngguǒ.

I have an apple.

他买了三个面包。

Tā mǎi le sān gè miànbāo.

He bought three pieces of bread.

这个人很友好。

Zhège rén hěn yǒuhǎo.

This person is very friendly.

整个城市都很安静。

Zhěng gè chéngshì dōu hěn ānjìng.

The whole city is very quiet.

请你给我一个机会。

Qǐng nǐ gěi wǒ yī gè jīhuì.

Please give me a chance.

那个问题有点难。

Nàgè wèntí yǒudiǎn nán.

That problem is a bit difficult.

我每个月都去图书馆。

Wǒ měi gè yuè dōu qù túshūguǎn.

I go to the library every month.

他一个人完成了所有工作。

Tā yī gè rén wánchéng le suǒyǒu gōngzuò.

He completed all the work by himself.

Related Characters

Component: 丨

Component: 人

个