個
General Classifier
個 (go3) is the general default classifier in Cantonese. Use it for counting people neutrally, general 3D items, time units, and abstract ideas like decisions or questions.
How It Works
1. Core Functions of 個 (go3)
• People (Neutral): 一個人 (jat1 go3 jan4 - a person), 三個學生 (saam1 go3 hok6 saang1 - three students). For polite or formal contexts, use 位 (wai2) instead.
• Round / 3D Objects: 一個蘋果 (jat1 go3 ping4 gwo2 - an apple), 一個包 (jat1 go3 baau1 - a bun).
• Abstract Concepts & Events: 一個決定 (jat1 go3 kyut3 ding6 - a decision), 一個問題 (jat1 go3 man6 tai4 - a question).
• Time Units: 一個月 (jat1 go3 jyut6 - a month), 下個禮拜 (haa6 go3 lai5 baai3 - next week).
2. Basic Sentence Structures
• With Numbers: [Number + 個 + Noun] e.g., 兩個朋友 (loeng5 go3 pang4 jau5 - two friends). Note that 'two' becomes 兩 (loeng5) before classifiers.
• With Demonstratives: Combined into 呢個 (ni1 go3 - this one), 嗰個 (go2 go3 - that one), and 邊個 (bin1 go3 - who / which one).
• Possession: Cantonese allows Possessor + 個 + Noun without 嘅 (ge3) (e.g., 我個仔 ngo5 go3 zai2 - my son).
• Definite Reference: A bare 個 + Noun at the start of a clause acts like 'the' (e.g., 個包好食 - The bun is delicious).
3. Important Nuance: Cantonese vs. Mandarin
Unlike Mandarin, Cantonese is much stricter with classifiers. Substituting 個 (go3) for specialized classifiers—such as 本 (bun2) for books or 張 (zoeng1) for flat items—sounds noticeably ungrammatical to native speakers.
Examples (4)
- 我哋三個一齊去食飯。
The three of us are going to eat together.
Word by Word: we three [CL] together go eat rice
Here, 個 (go3) classifies the group of three people (三 + 個).
- 呢個決定好重要。
This decision is very important.
Word by Word: this [CL] decision very important
個 (go3) attaches to 呢 (ni1) to specify an abstract noun, 'decision' (決定).
- 我個朋友聽日會嚟睇我。
My friend is coming to visit me tomorrow.
Word by Word: I [CL] friend tomorrow will come see me
Demonstrates the bare possessive structure [Possessor + 個 + Noun] without needing 嘅 (ge3).
- 買個麵包吖，唔該。
Buy a loaf of bread, please.
Word by Word: buy [CL] bread [particle], please
In rapid spoken Cantonese, the numeral 'one' (一 jat1) is often dropped before 個 (go3) to mean 'a/an'.
Common Mistakes
Using 個 (go3) for books instead of the required category classifier 本 (bun2).
我買咗一個書。我買咗一本書。A single book takes 本 (bun2), not 個 (go3). Sets of books take other classifiers such as 套 (tou3).
Omitting the classifier after demonstratives like 呢 (ni1) or 嗰 (go2).
呢人好好人。呢個人好好人。Demonstratives in Cantonese require a classifier like 個 (go3) before the noun.
Combining 嘅 (ge3) and 個 (go3) together in possessive phrases.
我嘅個朋友嚟咗。我個朋友嚟咗。Use either bare classifier possession (我個朋友) or particle possession (我嘅朋友), but do not stack 嘅 and 個 together.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use the general classifier '個', you first need to understand the grammatical role of classifiers in Cantonese and how they are positioned relative to numbers and nouns.
- Classifier Basics
Understanding the concept of classifiers in Cantonese is essential before learning the specific usage of the general classifier '個'.
Foundations - Word Order Basics
Learners need to know where a classifier fits within a noun phrase (Number + Classifier + Noun) to use '個' correctly.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- 位Classifier for People (Polite)
The polite classifier for people, used as an honorific alternative to the neutral 個 (go3).
Level 1 - 呢個/嗰個This One / That One
Demonstrative compounds combining 呢 (this) or 嗰 (that) directly with 個.
Level 1 - Classifier as possessive
The Cantonese possessive pattern that uses standard classifiers like 個 instead of 嘅 (ge3).
Level 2 - Counting frame
The basic counting frame for specifying quantities with classifiers.
Level 1 - 啲Plural Classifier
The plural/mass classifier counterpart to singular sortal classifiers like 個.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice 個 in Bubblegum
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