pron.
which; which one
哪个
which; which one
Literally 'which one' (哪 which + 个 general counter). Used in questions to ask which specific person or thing among a set.
Common Usage & Traps
- 哪个 — which one; which + noun
- 哪个人 — which person
- 哪个地方 — which place
- 哪个老师 — which teacher
- 哪个同学 — which classmate
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哪个书哪本书书 uses 本, not 个. 哪个书 sounds like you grabbed the wrong counting word.
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哪个桌椅哪套桌椅 / 哪些桌椅桌椅 is a set or a group. 套 fits one set, 哪些 fits multiple pieces. 个 does not fit furniture sets well.
If I'm picking from a few restaurants, is it 哪个饭馆 or 什么饭馆?
Use 哪个 when you see a known set; use 什么 when the options are open.
Point at three places on your phone and ask 你想去哪个？ You are choosing one from a known group. Ask 你想去什么饭馆？ when you have no list in mind and mean what kind or name. Natives often drop 饭馆 after context is clear: 你想去哪个？
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Known set | 你想去哪个？ | 你想去什么？ |
| Open choice | 你想去什么饭馆？ | 你想去哪个饭馆？ (unless a list exists) |
At a table with several cups of water, can I just say 你要哪个 without repeating 水?
Yes. 哪个 can stand alone once everyone knows what you're choosing from.
If the cups are in front of you, 你要哪个？ is perfect and native. If you add the noun, use the right counting word: 你要哪杯水？ not 你要哪个水？. The noun is optional, but the counting word matters when the noun is there.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Thing obvious | 你要哪个？ | 你要哪个水？ |
| Adding noun | 你要哪杯水？ | 你要哪个水？ |
| Asking type | 你要什么水？ | 你要哪个水？ |
Why do Chinese speakers say 哪个桌椅 if 桌椅 is a collective set?
哪个桌椅 is textbook-easy; for a table-and-chair set, natives usually say 哪套桌椅.
个 is the default counting word, but it does not fit every noun. 桌椅 is a pair or set, so 套 is the natural counting word. If you mean multiple tables and chairs, 哪些桌椅 is also possible. The story uses 哪个 to keep the line simple for beginners.
“哪个桌椅？” (Which table and chairs?)
“哪个桌椅？” (Which table and chairs?)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| One furniture set | 哪套桌椅？ | 哪个桌椅？ |
| Multiple items | 哪些桌椅？ | 哪个桌椅？ |
| Beginner shortcut | 哪个？ | 哪个桌椅？ as a native default |
Appears in Stories 4 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
In this funny HSK 2 story, a boy asks his father for money every day. When his father tries to teach him a lesson, the boy's clever reply will make you laugh.
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哪个 大孩子会这样做呢？
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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比如，到底英美政治制度 哪个 更好一点？
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
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哪个 桌椅？”
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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我问一个老北京 哪个 茶馆儿最好。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
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