个别

• Pinyin: gè bié
• Hanzi breakdown: 个 = simplified from 個, an individual unit; 别 = 另 + 刂 (knife) — distinct, separate

Meaning

Individual; specific; very few; isolated. Refers to a small number of cases singled out from a larger group.

Has two main uses: (1) individual or specific, as in giving personalised attention (个别辅导, individual tutoring); (2) very few or isolated cases (个别现象, isolated phenomenon). Often implies that the cases are exceptions rather than the norm.

Examples

1. 个别同学没有按时交作业。 A few individual students did not hand in their homework on time.
2. 这只是个别现象，不是普遍的问题。 This is just an isolated phenomenon, not a widespread problem.
3. 老师对个别学生进行了单独辅导。 The teacher gave individual tutoring to specific students.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, professional

Tone: specific

Do Say

• 个别地区可能会有暴雨。(A few specific areas may experience heavy rain.)
• 这个问题需要个别处理。(This issue needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis.)

Don't Say

• 我有个别朋友 (Unnatural — for 'I have a few friends,' use 几个; 个别 implies rare exceptions from a group, not a casual count)

Origin & History

个 (individual, simplified measure word) + 别 (distinct/separate). Emphasises singling out specific cases from a larger group.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal