格

• Pinyin: gé
• Hanzi breakdown: 格 = 木 (wood/tree radical — structural material) + 各 (each, every — individual unit within a framework)

Meaning

Grid; cell; lattice; standard; pattern. A structural unit or framework used as a measure or reference.

A versatile character that appears in many compounds. As a standalone noun it refers to a grid cell, lattice pattern, or standard unit. Appears in 格子 (grid/checked pattern), 格调 (style/tone), 格外 (especially/particularly), and 性格 (personality). In linguistics, 格 denotes grammatical case.

Examples

1. 这件衬衫印有精致的蓝白格纹，搭配深色西裤显得格外干练。 This shirt has an elegant blue-and-white check pattern, and paired with dark dress pants it looks especially sharp and professional.
2. 每位申请人须在表格的对应格内填写个人信息，不得遗漏任何一项。 Each applicant must fill in their personal information in the corresponding boxes on the form, without leaving anything out.
3. 这位作曲家的作品格调高雅，既有深厚的学术功底，又不失通俗的亲和力。 This composer’s works have an elegant style—grounded in deep academic training, yet still accessible to a broad audience.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, design, linguistics, administrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请在表格的每个格内填入相应数据，确保信息准确无误。(Please fill in the corresponding data in each cell of the form — ensure the information is accurate.)
• 这幅书法作品格调古朴，透露出作者深厚的传统文化修养。(This piece of calligraphy has a refined classical style, revealing the author's deep cultivation in traditional culture.)

Don't Say

• 格 vs 格子 — 格 typically refers to a single cell or standard; 格子 refers specifically to a checked/grid pattern on fabric or paper

Origin & History

格 = 木 + 各 (wood + each — lattice of wood; a standard framework)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal