How common it is
隔 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say gé slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
隔表示中间有距离或分开。
gé biǎo shì zhōng jiān yǒu jù lí huò fēn kāi。
隔 means separated by a distance or divider.
Context note
隔常用于空间、时间和关系。
gé cháng yòng yú kōng jiān 、 shí jiān hé guān xì。
It is often used with space, time, and relationships.
5 examples
他们隔着一张桌子说话。
tā men gé zhe yì zhāng zhuō zi shuō huà。
They spoke across a table.
隔壁很安静。
gé bì hěn ān jìng。
The next door is quiet.
这里隔着一条河。
zhè lǐ gé zhe yì tiáo hé。
There is a river in between here.
隔天再来。
gé tiān zài lái。
Come again the next day.
窗户隔开了外面的冷空气。
chuāng hù gé kāi le wài miàn de lěng kōng qì。
The window separated the cold air from outside.
5 mini stories
他和朋友隔着窗户聊天。
tā hé péng yǒu gé zhe chuāng hù liáo tiān。
He chatted with his friend through the window.
隔壁班正在上课。
gé bì bān zhèng zài shàng kè。
The class next door is in session.
他们隔了一周才见面。
tā men gé le yì zhōu cái jiàn miàn。
They met again after a week apart.
这道墙把两个房间隔开了。
zhè dào qiáng bǎ liǎng gè fáng jiàn gé kāi le。
This wall separates the two rooms.
隔着距离，他们还是能听见音乐。
gé zhe jù lí， tā men hái shì néng tīng jiàn yīn yuè。
Even across the distance, they could still hear the music.