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gēn
根
🥢Intermediate
HSK 4

📘 Intermediate — key word for HSK 3-4

Meaning

Classifier for long, thin, rigid objects: sticks, ropes, noodles, hair.

🏮 Cultural Story

中文 Chinese

"根"用于长条形硬质物体。"一根绳子"、"一根头发"、"一根香蕉"、"一根棍子"——vs"支"： "根"偏硬/偏材质感（像树根一样结实），"支"偏功能/偏人造物。"根"的本意就是"树根"！成语"一根筋"= stubborn person (inflexible like single root)。 "归根到底"= ultimately (trace back to root)。

English

**根 (gēn)** = long, thin, RIGID objects. Rope, hair, banana, stick — vs 支: 根 emphasizes HARD/MATERIAL (like tree roots — sturdy), 支 emphasizes FUNCTION/man-made. 根 = TREE ROOT literally! "一根筋" = stubborn. "归根到底" = ultimately.

🎯 根 = rod-like rigid thing. Like a tree root — sturdy!

💡 Memory Tip

根 is for long, thin, and rigid things. Think of roots (根) — long and thin!

Examples

一根筷子
yī gēn kuài zi
one chopstick
一根绳子
yī gēn shéng zi
one rope
一根头发
yī gēn tóu fā
one strand of hair

Common Nouns Used With

筷子kuài zichopsticks
绳子shéng zirope
头发tóu fāhair
香蕉xiāng jiāobanana
棍子gùn zistick
针zhēnneedle
葱cōngscallion / green onion

Related Measure Words

条 tiáo支 zhī把 bǎ

Video Examples

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🥢HSK 4
根
gēn

Classifier for long, thin, rigid objects: sticks, ropes, noodles, hair.

一根筷子
yī gēn kuài zi
one chopstick
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