The mandatory use of measure words like 个 (gè) reveals a fundamental difference in how Chinese structures the world compared to English. While English speakers see objects as inherently countable (“one apple, two apples”), the Chinese language first categorizes the noun and then counts it. You are not just counting “apples,” you are counting “individual units” (个) of “apple.” This may seem like an extra grammatical step, but it adds a layer of specificity. However, the overwhelming prevalence of 个 (gè) in modern, spoken Chinese also highlights a cultural tendency towards practicality. While dozens of specific measure words exist (e.g., for long things, flat things, animals), native speakers, especially in informal settings, will often default to 个 (gè) for convenience. This makes it a powerful tool for beginners, as using it is almost always understood, even if a more specific classifier is technically more “correct.” It bridges the gap between formal grammar and real-world communication.