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HSK 3

个子

height (of a person); stature; build

nounspoken
个
gè4th tone
子
zineutral tone

HSK level

1
2
3
4
5
6
Pinyin
gèzi
Part of speech
noun
Level
HSK 3
Strokes
6
Register
spoken
Measure word
个

Stroke order for 个子

个子 is written with 6 strokes (个: 3, 子: 3). The animation replays automatically.

What does 个子 mean?

个子 (gèzi) is a colloquial noun meaning a person's HEIGHT or overall physical stature.

It is almost always used with a descriptive adjective: 个子高 (tall), 个子矮 (short), 个子不高不矮 (medium height). Two notes for English speakers: first, 个子 only describes people, not buildings or trees — for those you would use 高 directly. Second, 个子 carries no measurement; it gives an impression. When you want to state an exact number in centimeters, switch to 身高 (shēngāo) — 我身高一米七 (my height is 1.

7 meters). Body-build sense ('a small build') is also covered: 个子小 sounds natural, while 'small height' would be wrong in English. Treat 个子 as 'how tall/built someone is.'

Note: Everyday spoken word. In medical, official, or formal written contexts, 身高 (shēngāo) is used instead.

Character by character

个gègeneral measure word; individual
+
子zinoun suffix (neutral tone); child
=
个子

Memory hook: 个 'individual' + 子 noun-suffix — the 'individual size' of a person, i.e. their height.

Example sentences

他个子很高。

Tā gèzi hěn gāo.

He is very tall.

spoken

我妹妹个子不高。

Wǒ mèimei gèzi bù gāo.

My younger sister isn't tall.

spoken

你们班谁个子最高？

Nǐmen bān shéi gèzi zuì gāo?

Who is the tallest in your class?

spoken

那个大个子是我哥哥。

Nà gè dà gèzi shì wǒ gēge.

That tall guy is my older brother.

spoken

Common phrases with 个子

个子高gèzi gāotall (of a person)
个子矮gèzi ǎishort (of a person)
大个子dà gèzia tall/big person; a big guy
小个子xiǎo gèzia short/small person
个子不高gèzi bù gāonot tall

Synonyms

身高shēngāo

身高 is a measured height with numbers (身高一米八 — 1.8 meters tall). 个子 is impressionistic (个子高 — tall). Forms and doctors' offices use 身高; everyday chat uses 个子.

身材shēncái

身材 means overall body figure/shape (slim, curvy, athletic). 个子 only refers to height/stature. 她身材好 (she has a good figure) ≠ 她个子高 (she is tall).

Don't confuse 个子 with

个gè

个 alone is the general measure word ('one of something'). 个子 with the 子 suffix is a noun meaning 'height.' Don't say 他个很高; say 他个子很高.

高gāo

高 is the adjective 'tall.' 个子 is the noun 'height.' You combine them — 他个子高 (he is tall) — but they are not interchangeable on their own.

FAQ

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