Dong Chinese dictionary

kē

measure word for trees

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 果 represents the sound.

Components

木 Meaning component

mù

tree

果 Sound component

guǒ

fruit

棵 and 果 don't sound similar in modern Mandarin due to historical phonetic changes. They were more similar in older Chinese.

Definitions

kē

numerary adjunct for trees; classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc

Most common words with 棵

Freq.	Word	Meaning
	棵	classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc
	塌棵菜	Chinese flat cabbage

Sources