个
gè
General measure word
个 (gè) — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
Action个What / whom
Rule structure
The colloquial “verb + 个 (gè) + noun” pattern presents an action as a modest, casual episode. For example, 吃个饭 (chī ge fàn), “grab a bite”; 聊个天 (liáo ge tiān), “have a chat”; 睡个觉 (shuì ge jiào), “get some sleep”; 帮个忙 (bāng ge máng), “give a hand”. There is no numeral here: 个 (gè) makes the wording less weighty and more casual, without specifying the action’s exact duration.
Rule structure
The colloquial “verb + 个 (gè) + noun” pattern presents an action as a modest, casual episode. For example, 吃个饭 (chī ge fàn), “grab a bite”; 聊个天 (liáo ge tiān), “have a chat”; 睡个觉 (shuì ge jiào), “get some sleep”; 帮个忙 (bāng ge máng), “give a hand”. There is no numeral here: 个 (gè) makes the wording less weighty and more casual, without specifying the action’s exact duration.
Examples
我们先吃个饭，再聊个天。
Wǒmen xiān chī ge fàn, zài liáo ge tiān.
Let's grab a bite first, then have a chat.
Examples
我们先吃个饭，再聊个天。
Wǒmen xiān chī ge fàn, zài liáo ge tiān.
Let's grab a bite first, then have a chat.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “casual small action” in Chinese with 个?
Use the structure: Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun. For example: 我们先吃个饭，再聊个天。 — “Let's grab a bite first, then have a chat”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我们先吃个饭，再聊个天。 — “Let's grab a bite first, then have a chat”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B
爱 — indifference “whether… or not”
爱 (ài) + Verb + 不 (bù) + the same Verb