HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #3459, Medium
棵
kē
measure word for trees
HSK 4, q, 12 strokes, radical 木, rank #3459, Medium
kē(ke1) T1
1classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc
2measure word for trees
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March 24, 2026
棵kē(ke1)
The character 棵 (kē) is a measure word used specifically for trees, cabbages, and other plants. It indicates a unit for counting these items, emphasizing their individual nature. This classifier is commonly used in gardening, agriculture, and discussions about nature.
Strokes12Radical木Frequency#3459DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the connection to nature is significant, and measure words like 棵 reflect the importance of plants in daily life and traditional practices, such as farming and herbal medicine.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tree with a 'K' shape formed by its branches, standing tall in a garden. The sound 'kē' can remind you of 'key', as each tree is a key part of the ecosystem. Visualize counting trees, and each time you say 'kē', picture a key unlocking the beauty of nature.
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AI Study Notes for 棵
Quick Contrast
棵 (kē) vs 株 (zhū) — use 棵 for counting individual trees or plants, while 株 is specifically for counting plants with roots.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tree with a 'K' shape formed by its branches, standing tall in a garden. The sound 'kē' can remind you of 'key', as each tree is a key part of the ecosystem. Visualize counting trees, and each time you say 'kē', picture a key unlocking the beauty of nature.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 棵 with other measure words like 颗 (kē) which is used for round objects. Ensure you use 棵 only with plants and trees. It is more commonly used in informal contexts, so be mindful when speaking formally.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 棵 is important for discussing nature and gardening. Students should practice using it with related vocabulary like 树 (shù - tree) and 蔬菜 (shūcài - vegetable) to build context around its usage.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the connection to nature is significant, and measure words like 棵 reflect the importance of plants in daily life and traditional practices, such as farming and herbal medicine.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is to use 棵 for flowers or smaller plants, which is incorrect; instead, use other measure words like 朵 (duǒ) for flowers. For example, saying '两棵花' should be corrected to '两朵花'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 棵
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Grammar Patterns of 棵
棵 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
If the soil is allowed to dry out the tree could die.
8
每棵树、每堵墙和每道栅栏都在白得耀眼的田野映衬下十分夺目。
měi kē shù、 、 měi dǔ qiáng hé měi dào zhà lán dū zài bái dé yào yǎn de tián yě yìng chèn xià shí fēn duó。
Every tree, wall and fence stood out against dazzling white fields.
9
他们坐在一棵高大的山毛榉树下的草坪上。
tā mén zuò zài yī kē gāo dà de shān máo jǔ shù xià de cǎo píng shàng。
They were sitting on the lawn under a large beech tree.
10
我在一棵快要枯死的榆树的树洞里安了家。
wǒ zài yī kē kuài yào kū sǐ de yú shù de shù dòng lǐ ān le jiā。
I made my home there, in the hollow of a dying elm.
Cultural Notes for 棵
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the connection to nature is significant, and measure words like 棵 reflect the importance of plants in daily life and traditional practices, such as farming and herbal medicine.
Word Family of 棵
Words Containing This Character2
棵kēclassifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc
塌棵菜Chinese flat cabbage
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 棵 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 棵
棵 (kē) is specifically used for counting trees and certain plants, unlike other measure words like 个 (gè), which is more general. It is important to choose the correct classifier to convey the right meaning in Mandarin.
In daily conversation, you might hear phrases like '两棵白菜' (liǎng kē báicài) meaning 'two cabbages' or '五棵树' (wǔ kē shù) meaning 'five trees.' These examples illustrate how 棵 is used to specify quantities of plants.
棵 (kē) is a measure word or classifier used specifically for trees and certain plants, such as cabbages. It helps quantify these items when counting or describing them in a sentence.
To use 棵 (kē) in a sentence, you typically place it after the number and before the noun. For example, you could say '三棵树' (sān kē shù), which means 'three trees.' This structure is common in Mandarin for counting items that require specific classifiers.
No, 棵 is specifically for trees and certain larger plants like cabbages, not for smaller plants or flowers.
It is primarily used in informal contexts; in formal writing, you may choose to use the plant names directly.
In Chinese, measure words like 棵 do not change for plural; you would say '两棵树' (liǎng kē shù) for 'two trees'.
