Level 1 · Beginner
Measure words: Number + 个 + Noun
Number + 个 + Noun · Traditional: Number + 個 + Noun
Chinese never puts a number directly on a noun. A measure word goes between them, and 个 (ge) is the all-purpose one: 一个人 "one person", 三个苹果 "three apples". The same rule applies to 这 and 那: 这个人 "this person".
Note that before a measure word, "two" is 两, not 二: 两个朋友, never 二个朋友.
Examples
我有一个哥哥。
我有一個哥哥。
wǒ yǒu yī ge gē ge
I have an older brother.
我要两个苹果。
我要兩個蘋果。
wǒ yào liǎng gè píng guǒ
I want two apples.
这个人是我的老师。
這個人是我的老師。
zhè ge rén shì wǒ de lǎo shī
This person is my teacher.
你有几个朋友？
你有幾個朋友？
nǐ yǒu jǐ ge péng you
How many friends do you have?
Common mistakes
✗ 我有一哥哥。
✓ 我有一个哥哥。
A measure word is required between a number and its noun.
✗ 我有二个姐姐。
✓ 我有两个姐姐。
Use 两 (not 二) before measure words.
Related grammar points
See it in a story
Read this pattern in context: The Sailor's Advice — free graded stories with tap-to-reveal pinyin and translations.
