====== gē: 歌 - Song, to Sing ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** gē, 歌, song in Chinese, sing in Chinese, chàng gē, Chinese music, KTV, lyrics in Chinese, Chinese singer, 歌手, 歌曲, pinyin for song
  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **歌 (gē)**, which means both "song" and is the key component in the verb "to sing." This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, cultural significance in China (especially regarding KTV), and practical usage. With over 10 example sentences, a character breakdown, and analysis of common mistakes, you'll master how to talk about music, songs, and singing in Mandarin Chinese.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** gē
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun / Verb Component
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 1 (as part of the word 唱歌 chàng gē)
  * **Concise Definition:** A piece of music with words that is sung; the act of singing.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **歌 (gē)** is the Chinese word for "song." Think of it as the noun, the thing you listen to. While it can stand alone as a noun, it's most frequently seen combined with the verb 唱 (chàng) to form **唱歌 (chàng gē)**, the standard way to say "to sing." Understanding that **歌 (gē)** is the *object* (the song) that you *act upon* (sing) is key to using it correctly.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * The character **歌 (gē)** is a phonetic-semantic compound, meaning one part gives the sound and the other gives the meaning.
  * **哥 (gē):** This character means "older brother" and provides the phonetic sound for **歌**. Their pronunciation is identical.
  * **欠 (qiàn):** This radical depicts a person with their mouth wide open. It signifies actions related to the mouth, such as yawning, breathing, or, in this case, singing.
  * By combining the sound of **哥 (gē)** with the image of an open mouth **欠 (qiàn)**, the character **歌 (gē)** vividly represents the act of singing a song.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In China, singing is far more than just a hobby; it's a cornerstone of social life. The most prominent example is **KTV (Karaoke)**, which is a primary activity for friends, family gatherings, and even business meetings.
  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** While karaoke in the West is often a public performance at a bar, KTV in China is typically a private affair. Groups rent a room for several hours, equipped with a large screen, microphones, and an extensive song catalog. It's a space to relax, bond, and build connections in a less formal setting than a dinner table. For businesspeople, a KTV session after a meal is a common way to build **[[关系]] (guānxi)**, or personal rapport, which is crucial for professional success.
  * **Related Values:** This practice reflects the Chinese cultural value of collectivism and **和谐 (héxié)**, or harmony. Singing together, regardless of skill level, is a shared group experience that strengthens bonds and creates a harmonious atmosphere. It's not about individual performance but about collective enjoyment.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **As a Noun ("song"):** When used as a noun, **歌 (gē)** almost always requires a measure word, which is **首 (shǒu)**.
    *   `一首歌 (yì shǒu gē)` - one song
    *   `这首歌 (zhè shǒu gē)` - this song
  * **As a Verb Component ("to sing"):** The most common verb for "to sing" is the verb-object compound **唱歌 (chàng gē)**, which literally means "sing a song." This is the default term you should use when talking about the action of singing.
  * **In Compound Words:** **歌 (gē)** is a building block for many music-related terms:
    *   `歌手 (gēshǒu)` - singer
    *   `歌词 (gēcí)` - lyrics
    *   `歌曲 (gēqǔ)` - song (a slightly more formal term)
    *   `歌剧 (gējù)` - opera
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 这首**歌**很好听。
    * Pinyin: Zhè shǒu **gē** hěn hǎo tīng.
    * English: This song is very nice to listen to.
    * Analysis: A classic example of **歌 (gē)** used as a noun with its measure word **首 (shǒu)**. `好听 (hǎo tīng)` is the standard way to say a song "sounds good".
  * **Example 2:**
    * 你喜欢唱**歌**吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ xǐhuān chàng **gē** ma?
    * English: Do you like to sing?
    * Analysis: Here, **歌 (gē)** is part of the verb **唱歌 (chàng gē)**. This is a very common question to ask when getting to know someone.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 周末我们去唱**歌**吧！
    * Pinyin: Zhōumò wǒmen qù chàng **gē** ba!
    * English: Let's go sing karaoke this weekend!
    * Analysis: In modern China, `去唱歌 (qù chàng gē)` is almost always an invitation to go to KTV. This is a very common social invitation.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 他是一位非常有名的**歌**手。
    * Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi fēicháng yǒumíng de **gē**shǒu.
    * English: He is a very famous singer.
    * Analysis: This shows **歌 (gē)** as part of the compound word `歌手 (gēshǒu)`, meaning "singer." The measure word for people in a profession is `位 (wèi)`.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 我不记得这首**歌**的**歌**词了。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ bù jìde zhè shǒu **gē** de **gē**cí le.
    * English: I don't remember the lyrics to this song anymore.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses both **歌 (gē)** as "song" and as part of the word `歌词 (gēcí)`, "lyrics".
  * **Example 6:**
    * 这首**歌**让我想起了我的家乡。
    * Pinyin: Zhè shǒu **gē** ràng wǒ xiǎngqǐle wǒ de jiāxiāng.
    * English: This song reminds me of my hometown.
    * Analysis: Demonstrates how to express that a song evokes a memory or feeling, using the pattern `让 (ràng) + someone + verb`.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 她的**歌**声非常优美。
    * Pinyin: Tā de **gē**shēng fēicháng yōuměi.
    * English: Her singing voice is exceptionally beautiful.
    * Analysis: **歌声 (gēshēng)** literally means "song sound" and is the specific word for "singing voice."
  * **Example 8:**
    * 老师在课堂上教我们唱了一首中文**歌**。
    * Pinyin: Lǎoshī zài kètáng shàng jiāo wǒmen chàngle yī shǒu Zhōngwén **gē**.
    * English: The teacher taught us to sing a Chinese song in class.
    * Analysis: A good example of sentence structure: `教 (jiāo) + someone + verb + object`. It shows the action of singing (`唱`) a specific object (`一首中文歌`).
  * **Example 9:**
    * 你会唱中国的国**歌**吗？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ huì chàng Zhōngguó de guó**gē** ma?
    * English: Can you sing China's national anthem?
    * Analysis: Introduces the word `国歌 (guógē)`, or "national anthem" (country's song). The verb `会 (huì)` here means "to know how to" or "can."
  * **Example 10:**
    * 这张专辑里的每一首**歌**我都喜欢。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zhāng zhuānjí lǐ de měi yī shǒu **gē** wǒ dōu xǐhuān.
    * English: I like every single song on this album.
    * Analysis: A slightly more complex sentence showing how to say "every song." `张 (zhāng)` is the measure word for flat objects like CDs or albums (`专辑 zhuānjí`).
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`唱 (chàng)` vs. `唱歌 (chàng gē)` vs. `歌 (gē)`:** This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
    * **歌 (gē):** The noun. It's the "song" itself.
    * **唱 (chàng):** The verb. It's the action of "singing." You need to sing *something*.
    * **唱歌 (chàng gē):** The default phrase for "to sing." It's a verb-object phrase that functions as a single verb in most contexts.
    * **Common Mistake:** Saying `我喜欢歌` to mean "I like to sing."
      * **Incorrect:** `我喜欢歌。` (Wǒ xǐhuān gē.) This sounds unnatural, like saying "I like song."
      * **Correct:** `我喜欢**唱**歌。` (Wǒ xǐhuān chàng gē.) - "I like to sing."
      * **Correct:** `我喜欢这首**歌**。` (Wǒ xǐhuān zhè shǒu gē.) - "I like this song."
  * **Forgetting the Measure Word `首 (shǒu)`:** In English, we can say "I heard a song." In Chinese, you must include the measure word.
    * **Incorrect:** `我听一个歌。` (Wǒ tīng yī gè gē.) - `个 (gè)` is the general-purpose measure word, but it's incorrect here.
    * **Correct:** `我听一**首**歌。` (Wǒ tīng yī shǒu gē.)
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * `[[唱歌]] (chàng gē)` - The most common verb phrase for "to sing."
  * `[[歌曲]] (gēqǔ)` - A more formal term for "song" or "melody," often used in written or broadcast contexts.
  * `[[歌手]] (gēshǒu)` - A singer or vocalist.
  * `[[歌词]] (gēcí)` - The lyrics of a song.
  * `[[音乐]] (yīnyuè)` - Music; the broader category that songs fall into.
  * `[[听]] (tīng)` - To listen; the verb you use to say you're listening to a song (`听歌 tīng gē`).
  * `[[首]] (shǒu)` - The primary measure word for songs and poems.
  * `[[卡拉OK]] (kǎlā'ōukèi)` - The full transliteration of "Karaoke," often referred to as KTV.
  * `[[流行歌曲]] (liúxíng gēqǔ)` - Pop song.
  * `[[国歌]] (guógē)` - National anthem.