个 (ge) - General Measure Word

Imagine you are at a busy fruit market in Beijing. You want to buy one apple. You cannot just say 一苹果 (yī píngguǒ). That sounds like saying "one apple" without the "one" being properly attached. It feels naked to a Chinese speaker. You must say 一个苹果 (yī gè píngguǒ). The 个 acts as a counter. It tells the listener you are counting individual units. English actually does this too sometimes. We say "a loaf of bread" or "a piece of advice." In Chinese, this is not optional. It happens every single time you use a number. It also happens when you use "this" 这 (zhè) or "that" 那 (nà). Think of it like a grammar traffic light. It keeps the flow of the sentence orderly and clear.

1. 1Building a phrase with 个 is like making a simple sandwich. Follow these three easy steps:
2. 2Start with a Number or a Demonstrative. Use 一 (yī) for one, or 这 (zhè) for this.
3. 3Add the Measure Word 个 (gè) right in the middle.
4. 4Finish with the Noun. This is the thing you are talking about.
5. 5The formula looks like this: [Number/This/That] + 个 + [Noun].
6. 6For example: 三个学生 (sān gè xuéshēng) means "three students."
7. 7Another example: 那个老师 (nà gè lǎoshī) means "that teacher."
8. 8It is a very consistent pattern. Once you learn this rhythm, you can build thousands of sentences. Just remember the sandwich order. Do not put the meat outside the bread!

Use 个 for people. It is the standard way to count friends, family, and colleagues. Use it for roundish objects like apples or oranges. It is perfect for abstract things too. You can have 一个想法 (yī gè xiǎngfǎ), which is "an idea." Use it for jobs, like 一个工作 (yī gè gōngzuò). It also works for rooms and small shops. If you are ordering food and forget the specific word, 个 will save you. Point at the menu and say 我要这个 (wǒ yào zhège). The waiter will understand you perfectly. It is the most polite way to be slightly wrong. It is much better than using no measure word at all.

Do not use 个 for everything forever. As you get better, you will meet specific measure words. Do not use it for animals. Cats and dogs usually use 只 (zhī). Do not use it for long, thin things like pens or rivers. Those prefer 支 (zhī) or 条 (tiáo). Flat things like paper or tables use 张 (zhāng). Books have their own special word, 本 (běn). Using 个 for a book is like wearing socks with sandals. It works, but it looks a bit funny. Also, avoid it for vehicles like cars or bikes. They use 辆 (liàng). If the object has a very distinct shape, it probably has a special word.

The biggest mistake is leaving 个 out entirely. Beginners often say 二学生 (èr xuéshēng) instead of 两个学生 (liǎng gè xuéshēng). This sounds very broken to native ears. Another mistake is using 二 (èr) instead of 两 (liǎng) when counting. When you use 个, "two" almost always becomes 两. So, say 两个, never 二个. Some people try to use 个 for liquids like water. That does not work. You need "cup" or "bottle" for that. Finally, do not stress too much. If you use 个 for a dog, people might giggle. But they will still give you the dog. It is a very forgiving mistake.

Sometimes you will see 位 (wèi) instead of 个. Both are used for people. However, 位 is much more formal and polite. Use 位 for a boss or a respected teacher. Use 个 for your friends or siblings. It is like the difference between "this gentleman" and "this guy." Another contrast is with 只 (zhī). Use 只 for small animals and one of a pair (like one shoe). If you use 个 for your cat, it sounds like the cat is a person. Your cat might like the promotion, but your teacher might correct you. Always remember that 个 is the generalist, while others are specialists.