What does 个 mean in Chinese?

个 (gè) means "individual; this; that; size; classifier for people or objects in general" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 个?

个 is pronounced "gè" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 个?

个 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 个?

Common words with 个 include 一个人 (by oneself (without assistance)), 一个个 (each and every one), 一个劲 (continuously), 一个样 (same as 一樣|一样[yi1 yang4]), 一个劲儿 (erhua variant of 一個勁|一个劲[yi1 ge4 jin4]).

How do you write 个?

个 has 3 strokes. Its radical is 人. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

个 (gè), individual

个

gè

individual; this; that; size

HSK 1classifier3 strokes

Traditional: 個

Character Breakdown

个 = 人 + 丨

One person standing — a single unit

Radical: 人 (no. 9)Strokes: 3Traditional: 個

View stroke order →

Definitions

(classifier) individual
this
that
size
classifier for people or objects in general

Example Sentences

这里有三个人。

Zhèlǐ yǒu sān gè rén

There are three people here

Words Containing 个

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
一个人	yī gè rén	by oneself (without assistance)
一个个	yī gè gè	each and every one
一个劲	yī gè jìn	continuously
一个样	yī ge yàng	same as 一樣\|一样[yi1 yang4]
一个劲儿	yī gè jìn r	erhua variant of 一個勁\|一个劲[yi1 ge4 jin4]

Related Words

人次(rén cì)· person-times

→

口子(kǒu zi)· hole

→

Grammar Notes

Negation with 没 / 没有HSK 1

Subject + 没(有) + Verb / Object

Adjectives with 很HSK 1

Subject + 很 + Adjective

Basic Measure Words (个, 本, 杯)HSK 1

Number / 这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun

Completed Action with 了HSK 1

Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

Number + Measure Word + NounHSK 1

Number + Measure Word + Noun

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

个: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 个 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.