颗 kē measure word for small round things
How to remember 颗: 果 fruit + 页 page = measure word for small round things. The girl draws a tiny fruit on a page of her homework and asks her tutor for the measure word for small round things.
Component breakdown
颗 = 果 fruit + 页 page
- 果 fruit
- 页 page
The girl draws a tiny fruit on a page of her homework and asks her tutor for the measure word for small round things.
How it is used
- A measure word, not a standalone noun - used for small, roughly round or granular things: 一颗心 (yì kē xīn) "a heart," 一颗星星 (yì kē xīngxīng) "a star," 一颗糖 (yì kē táng) "a piece of candy."
- Distinguish from the all-purpose measure word 个 gè: 颗 specifically evokes smallness and roundness, so you'd say 一颗牙齿 for a tooth but not use it for large or flat objects.