classifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grains, teeth, hearts, satellites etc
HSK 5, m, 14 strokes, radical 页, rank #1182, Hard
颗
kē
grain, kernel
HSK 5, m, 14 strokes, radical 页, rank #1182, Hard
kē(ke1) T1
1classifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grains, teeth, hearts, satellites etc
2grain, kernel
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
颗(顆)kē(ke1)
The character 颗 (kē) is a classifier used to quantify small, round objects, such as grains, pearls, and even teeth. It conveys the idea of something being discrete and countable, often emphasizing the smallness or spherical nature of the items it refers to.
Strokes14Radical页Frequency#1182DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, small grains, like rice or corn, are staple foods, and using 颗 to describe these items reflects their importance in daily life and cuisine. The character can also relate to traditional practices involving pearls and jewelry, which are valued in Chinese heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small pearl on a string of a necklace, symbolizing 颗 (kē). The rounded shape of the pearl helps you remember that this character is used for small spheres, and the 'k' sound in kē can be linked to 'kernel' or 'kernel of corn,' which is also round.
Meanings of 颗
kē(ke1)
1classifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grains, teeth, hearts, satellites etc
2grain, kernel
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 颗
颗Simplified
顆Traditional
14Strokes
页Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#1182Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 颗
Podcast: 颗
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AI Study Notes for 颗
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a small pearl on a string of a necklace, symbolizing 颗 (kē). The rounded shape of the pearl helps you remember that this character is used for small spheres, and the 'k' sound in kē can be linked to 'kernel' or 'kernel of corn,' which is also round.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 颗 with other classifiers like 个 (gè), which is more general and can refer to any object. Remember that 颗 is specifically for small, round items. It is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with tone; the first tone is crucial for clarity.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 5, 颗 is a useful word for discussing quantities and descriptions of objects in detailed contexts. Students should practice using it with other classifiers to understand the nuances and proper usage in sentences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, small grains, like rice or corn, are staple foods, and using 颗 to describe these items reflects their importance in daily life and cuisine. The character can also relate to traditional practices involving pearls and jewelry, which are valued in Chinese heritage.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 颗 incorrectly with non-spherical items, such as saying 一颗书 (one book) instead of 一本书 (one book). Always remember to pair 颗 with suitable spherical nouns.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 颗
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Grammar Patterns of 颗
颗 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. 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.
There is an asteroid on a collision course with the Earth.
10
朱莉的戏剧老师相信她会成为一颗冉冉升起的明星。
zhū lì de xì jù lǎo shī xiāng xìn tā huì chéng wéi yī kē rǎn rǎn shēng qǐ de míng xīng。
Her drama teacher is confident Julie is a star in the making.
Cultural Notes for 颗
💡Did you know?
'颗' is commonly used in Chinese to classify not only grains but also items like satellites, showing the versatility of the language in categorizing objects.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, small grains, like rice or corn, are staple foods, and using 颗 to describe these items reflects their importance in daily life and cuisine. The character can also relate to traditional practices involving pearls and jewelry, which are valued in Chinese heritage.
📜Proverb
In Chinese culture, the phrase '一颗心' (one heart) emphasizes unity and sincerity, often used to express dedication and commitment.
Word Family of 颗
Words Containing This Character2
颗kēclassifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grains, teeth, hearts, satellites etc顆
颗粒kernel顆粒
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 颗 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 颗
颗 is often used with nouns like 珍珠 (zhēnzhū - pearl), 玉米粒 (yùmǐlì - corn grain), and 心 (xīn - heart). For instance, you could say '他有两颗玉米粒' (tā yǒu liǎng kē yùmǐlì), meaning 'He has two corn grains.' This showcases its versatility for various small spherical items.
You should use 颗 when referring specifically to small spherical objects. If you're talking about flat or non-spherical items, different classifiers like 张 (zhāng) for flat objects or 只 (zhī) for animals would be more appropriate. Knowing when to use 颗 will help you sound more natural in your speech.
颗 (kē) is a classifier used in Chinese for small spherical objects such as pearls, corn grains, and even teeth. It can also refer to grains or kernels more generally. Understanding its usage can help you describe quantities of round items more accurately in conversation.
You can use 颗 in a sentence to quantify small round objects. For example, you might say '我有三颗珍珠' (wǒ yǒu sān kē zhēnzhū), which means 'I have three pearls.' Learning how to apply this classifier will enhance your fluency in describing items in Chinese.
No, 颗 is specifically for small, round items. For larger objects, consider using other classifiers like 个 (gè).
No, while it is commonly used for food like grains, it also applies to other small, round objects such as teeth and pearls.
Use 颗 for small, round items and 个 for general use. For example, you would say 一颗米 (one grain of rice) but 一个人 (one person).
