整个

• Pinyin: zhěng gè
• Hanzi breakdown: 整 = 束 + 攵 + 正, meaning 'whole'; 个 = simplified from 個, general measure word

Meaning

Whole; entire; all of. Used to emphasize that something is complete and undivided.

Functions as a modifier before nouns to emphasize completeness. Can describe both concrete things (整个城市 = the whole city) and abstract concepts (整个过程 = the entire process). Stronger emphasis than 全, and often appears in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Examples

1. 整个城市都被雪覆盖了。 The entire city was covered in snow.
2. 他用了整个下午来写报告。 He spent the entire afternoon writing the report.
3. 整个学校只有一个食堂。 The entire school has only one cafeteria.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, description, narrative

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 整个过程很顺利。(The entire process went smoothly.)
• 整个假期我都在家。(I was at home the entire holiday.)

Don't Say

• 我吃了整个三个苹果。(Don't combine 整个 with a number + measure word — say 我吃了整整三个苹果 or 我吃了三个苹果; 整个 modifies singular complete items)

Origin & History

整 (whole, entire) + 个 (measure word). Together they function as an adjective meaning 'the whole' or 'the entire.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal