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    Chinese Grammar

    Counting long thin objects with 根 (gēn)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 根 + Noun

    Explanation

    The measure word 根 (gēn) is used to count long, thin objects such as sticks, rods, hairs, strings, and pipes. It is placed between a number and the noun it modifies. For example, 一根筷子 means 'one chopstick' and 一根管 means 'one pipe.'

    Examples

    • 桌子上放着两根筷子。

      Zhuōzi shàng fàng zhe liǎng gēn kuàizi.

      There are two chopsticks on the table.

    • 她从头上拔下一根白头发。

      Tā cóng tóu shàng bá xià yī gēn bái tóufa.

      She plucked a white hair from her head.

    • 我需要买几根绳子来绑箱子。

      Wǒ xūyào mǎi jǐ gēn shéngzi lái bǎng xiāngzi.

      I need to buy a few ropes to tie up the boxes.

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