个子

• Pinyin: gè zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 个 = simplified form of 個, a general measure word; 子 = noun suffix (originally 'child')

Meaning

Height; stature; build. Used to describe a person's physical height.

Almost always used with adjectives like 高 (tall) or 矮 (short). A colloquial, everyday word for talking about someone's physical height.

Examples

1. 他的个子很高，有一米八。 He is very tall — one metre eighty.
2. 这个小女孩个子不大。 This little girl is not very big.
3. 你的个子跟你爸爸一样高。 You are the same height as your father.

Usage Guide

Context: physical description, everyday conversation

Tone: casual, descriptive

Do Say

• 他个子很高。(He is very tall.)
• 她个子不高，但是很可爱。(She is not tall, but she is very cute.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'个子很胖' — 个子 only refers to height, not weight or body shape. For weight, use 体重 or describe with 胖/瘦.

Origin & History

Derived from 个 (individual, measure word) with the noun suffix 子, originally meaning 'individual size' and narrowing to refer to a person's height.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal