Discussion of 根 [gēn] measure word for long and thin things

Discussion of 根

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Used for long and hard-to-break items, like a stick, baseball bat.

TrainChineseJake

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Thanks for the input! But hold that thought: it does not have to be hard-to-break items. For example, we can also say 一根头发 (a thread of hair), 一根面条 (a thread of noodle), etc.

lisaC

支 is for long and hard - to -break items, 根 is just for long and thin items.

AKHMADKHON

To add to what Akhmadkhon mentioned above,

1. 支 is used on things that are hard and cannot be bent, while 根 can be used on things that are soft and can be bent (头发、面条、毛线, etc.). 支 can be used on abstract nouns, e.g. 队伍、歌曲

2. Note that 根 can also be used on things that are plants or related to plants and used to have roots, e.g. 黄瓜、木棍、火柴

lisaC

got it , thanks for the info

AKHMADKHON

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