yī gè: 一个 - One, A/An, A Single
Quick Summary
Keywords: yige, yi ge, 一个, Chinese measure word, Chinese classifier, how to say 'a' in Chinese, how to say 'one' in Chinese, Chinese counters, ge measure word, what is ge in Chinese, yī tone change, HSK 1 grammar
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 一个 (yī gè), the most common way to say “a,” “an,” or “one” of something. This comprehensive guide breaks down the characters, the crucial concept of Chinese measure words (classifiers), and the mandatory tone change rule for “一 (yī)”. Discover how to use “一个” correctly in conversation, see practical example sentences, and avoid common mistakes made by beginner learners.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): yī gè (pronounced yí ge in practice)
Part of Speech: Number + Measure Word (Quantifier Phrase)
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition: A quantifier phrase meaning “one” or “a/an,” used for counting a single, general person, place, thing, or abstract concept.
In a Nutshell: In English, we say “one apple” or “a person.” In Chinese, you almost always need a “measure word” (also called a “classifier”) between the number and the noun. 一个 (yī gè) is the most fundamental and versatile of these combinations. Think of 个 (gè) as the Swiss Army knife of measure words—if you don't know the specific one, 个 (gè) is usually a safe bet.
Character Breakdown
一 (yī): The character for the number “one.” It's one of the simplest characters, a single horizontal stroke, visually representing a single unit or the concept of unity.
个 (gè): The most common measure word in Chinese. It's composed of the “person” radical (人) on the left and a phonetic component. It acts as a counter for individual, standalone items.
These two characters combine to literally mean “one individual unit of…” and function as the direct equivalent of “a/an” or “one” in most everyday contexts.
Cultural Context and Significance
The true significance of 一个 lies not in the word itself, but in the grammatical concept it represents: the mandatory use of measure words.
Chinese grammar categorizes the physical and abstract world in a way that English does not. While English has remnants of this system in phrases like “a loaf of bread,” “a pair of scissors,” or “a flock of birds,” these are exceptions. In Chinese, this system is the rule. You cannot simply attach a number to a noun; you must specify the type of unit you are counting.
一个 (yī gè) is the “default” unit. It's used for people, abstract concepts (like questions or ideas), and a vast number of general objects. Mastering 一个 is the first step to understanding this unique worldview embedded in Chinese grammar, where objects are not just counted but also categorized. For a learner, understanding 一个 is the key to unlocking correct sentence structure and sounding natural.
Practical Usage in Modern China
The Tone Change of 一 (yī) - The Most Important Rule
This is a critical rule that separates beginners from more natural-sounding speakers. The character 一 is first tone (yī) by itself, but its tone changes depending on the character that follows it.
When followed by a 4th tone character, 一 (yī) changes to a 2nd tone (yí).
The measure word 个 has a neutral tone, but it originates from the 4th tone gè.
Therefore, in the phrase 一个, the tone change rule applies, and it is almost always pronounced yí ge.
Saying “yí ge” instead of “yī ge” is a small change that will make your spoken Chinese much more accurate.
"A/An" vs. "One"
一个 can mean both “a/an” and the specific number “one.” The context makes the meaning clear.
`我有一个苹果。 (Wǒ yǒu yí ge píngguǒ.)` - This can mean “I have an apple” (indefinite) or “I have one apple” (a specific quantity).
To emphasize the number “one,” you might contrast it with another number: `我只要一个，不要两个。 (Wǒ zhǐ yào yí ge, bú yào liǎng ge.)` - “I only want one, not two.”
In very casual, fast speech, native speakers sometimes omit the 一 (yī) and just use the measure word.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
我有一个问题。
Pinyin: Wǒ yǒu yí ge wèntí.
English: I have a question.
Analysis: A classic example of using “一个” for an abstract concept. “问题” (wèntí) is a general, individual idea, so “个” is the perfect measure word.
Example 2:
他是一个好人。
Pinyin: Tā shì yí ge hǎorén.
English: He is a good person.
Analysis: Here, “一个” is used to classify or describe someone. It's the equivalent of “a” in “a good person.”
Example 3:
我想买一个新的手机。
Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí ge xīn de shǒujī.
English: I want to buy a new mobile phone.
Analysis: Used for a common, individual object. Note the pronunciation is “yí ge”.
Example 4:
我们家有一个小狗。
Pinyin: Wǒmen jiā yǒu yí ge xiǎo gǒu.
English: Our family has a small dog.
Analysis: While the specific measure word for most animals is “只 (zhī)”, “个” is so common that it's often used colloquially, especially by children or in very informal contexts.
Example 5:
请给我一个小时的时间。
Pinyin: Qǐng gěi wǒ yí ge xiǎoshí de shíjiān.
English: Please give me one hour of time.
Analysis: “个” is used as the measure word for hours (`小时`). Here, it clearly specifies the quantity “one.”
Example 6:
这只是一个开始。
Pinyin: Zhè zhǐshì yí ge kāishǐ.
English: This is just a beginning.
Analysis: Another example of “一个” being used with an abstract noun, “开始” (kāishǐ).
Example 7:
你认识那个穿红色裙子的女孩吗？她是一个演员。
Pinyin: Nǐ rènshi nàge chuān hóngsè qúnzi de nǚhái ma? Tā shì yí ge yǎnyuán.
English: Do you know that girl in the red dress? She is an actress.
Analysis: Used to state a person's profession, functioning like “an” in “an actress.”
Example 8:
在桌子上放着一个苹果。
Pinyin: Zài zhuōzi shàng fàngzhe yí ge píngguǒ.
English: There is an apple on the table.
Analysis: A simple descriptive sentence showing the existence of a single object.
Example 9:
Example 10:
给我一个理由。
Pinyin: Gěi wǒ yí ge lǐyóu.
English: Give me a reason.
Analysis: A common, direct phrase where “一个” means “a” or “one single.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the measure word entirely.
Incorrect: `我有一朋友。 (Wǒ yǒu yī péngyou.)`
Correct: `我有一个朋友。 (Wǒ yǒu yí ge péngyou.)`
Reason: This is the most fundamental mistake. In Chinese, you cannot connect a number directly to most nouns. You must have a measure word like “个” in between.
Mistake 2: Overusing “一个” when a specific measure word is required.
Incorrect: `我买了三个书。 (Wǒ mǎile sān ge shū.)`
Correct: `我买了三本书。 (Wǒ mǎile sān běn shū.)`
Reason: While “一个” is a safe bet for beginners, as you advance, you'll learn that certain nouns have their own specific measure words. For books (`书 shū`), the correct measure word is `本 (běn)`. Using “个” here is grammatically understandable but sounds uneducated, like saying “three loafs of book” in English.
Mistake 3: Using the wrong pronunciation.
Incorrect Pronunciation: “yī ge” (1st tone + neutral tone)
Correct Pronunciation: “yí ge” (2nd tone + neutral tone)
Reason: As explained above, the tone change rule for “一 (yī)” is mandatory in spoken Chinese. Sticking to the original first tone is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner.
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个 (gè)` - The measure word itself. It can be used with other numbers, like `三个 (sān ge)` for “three (items)” or `几个 (jǐ ge)` for “how many (items)?”
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两 (liǎng)` - The word for “two” that is used with measure words (e.g., `两个 - liǎng ge`). This contrasts with `二 (èr)`, which is used for counting and phone numbers.
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一 (yī)` - The number “one” on its own. It's used when counting sequentially (一, 二, 三…), in numbers like “eleven” (`十一`), or as an ordinal number (“first,” `第一`).
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位 (wèi)` - A more polite measure word for people. `一位老师 (yí wèi lǎoshī)` is more formal and respectful than `一个老师 (yí ge lǎoshī)`.
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只 (zhī)` - A very common measure word used for many animals (e.g., `一只猫 - yì zhī māo`, one cat) and for one of a pair (e.g., `一只眼睛 - yì zhī yǎnjing`, one eye).
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本 (běn)` - The specific measure word for books, magazines, and other bound items.
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这 (zhè)` - “This.” It is often combined with `个` to form `这个 (zhè ge)`, meaning “this one.”
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那 (nà)` - “That.” It is often combined with `个` to form `那个 (nà ge)`, meaning “that one.”
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些 (xiē)` - A measure word meaning “some” or “a few,” as in `一些人 (yìxiē rén)`, “some people.” This shows that measure words are not just for specific numbers.