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    Chinese Grammar

    Using the classifier 颗 (kē) for small round objects

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 颗 + Noun

    Explanation

    颗 (kē) is a measure word used to count small, round, or grain-like objects. Common nouns paired with 颗 include stars (星), teeth (牙), seeds (种子), and hearts (心). It emphasizes the compact, spherical shape of the item being counted.

    Examples

    • 她掉了一颗牙，笑起来特别可爱。

      tā diào le yī kē yá, xiào qǐlái tèbié kě'ài.

      She lost a tooth, and her smile looks especially cute.

    • 我在海边捡了好几颗漂亮的石头。

      wǒ zài hǎibiān jiǎn le hǎo jǐ kē piàoliang de shítou.

      I picked up quite a few pretty stones at the beach.

    • 这颗糖是草莓味的，你要不要尝尝？

      zhè kē táng shì cǎoméi wèi de, nǐ yào bú yào chángchang?

      This candy is strawberry-flavored; do you want to try it?

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    Using the classifier 颗 (kē) for small round objects | Chinese Grammar