一个
yī gè
In Chinese, the English phrase "a" is expressed as 一个 (yī gè).
The phrase is used as an indefinite article before a singular countable noun to refer to one person or thing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 一个 literally means "one piece/unit", consisting of the number "one" (一) and the common measure word "piece/unit" (个).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, "a" is expressed by combining a number, usually one, with a specific measure word (classifier) that is appropriate for the noun being described.
How do you pronounce it?
yī gè
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget that "a" in Chinese requires a measure word. You cannot simply say 一 before a noun without a classifier like 个.
Did you know?
- Certain measure words are used to express respect, such as using 位 instead of 个 when referring to 'a' person of high status or a guest.
- If you want to say 'a' for a book, you cannot use 个 and must use 本, which originally referred to the root or stem of a plant.
- In spoken Chinese, the number 'one' in 一个 often shifts from the 'yī' sound to 'yī' or 'yì' depending on the tone of the following measure word.
Examples in context
- 我有一个家。I have a home.The sentence is useful for showing how to express possession of a single thing using 一个.Tatoeba #1786136 by sadhen, translation #1786134 by gleki
- 列一个列表。Make a list.The sentence demonstrates how to use 一个 when creating a single item like a list.Tatoeba #10199329 by slo_oth, translation #2249574 by CK
- 这是一个小偷。He is a thief.The sentence shows how to use 一个 to identify a single person, such as a thief.Tatoeba #630270 by CLARET, translation #301724 by Dorenda
- 我认识一名警察。I know a police officer.
- 我想买一个手机。I want to buy a smartphone.
- 690 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Yuting are talking about a book.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我想买一个新书包。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī gè xīn shūbāo.I want to buy a new backpack.
- 雨婷 Yuting你看到那个红色的了吗？Nǐ kàndào nàge hóngsè de le ma?Did you see that red one?
- 志强 Zhiqiang看到了，但我想买一个蓝色的。Kàndào le, dàn wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī gè lánsè de.I saw it, but I want to buy a blue one.
- 雨婷 Yuting那我们去找找蓝色的吧。Nà wǒmen qù zhǎo zhǎo lánsè de ba.Then let's go look for a blue one.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
