Usage of 整个
The word 整个 (zhěng gè) means "whole" or "entire" and is used to emphasize completeness or entirety of something. It is often placed before a noun to indicate that the noun is considered in its entirety.
Common contexts
It frequently appears in contexts describing time (e.g., 整个下午 - the whole afternoon), space (e.g., 整个城市 - the whole city), groups (e.g., 整个班级 - the entire class), or objects.
Collocations and patterns
- 整个 + noun: emphasizes the totality of the noun.
- 整个 + 时间段: to express a whole period of time.
- 整个 + 地方/区域: to indicate a whole area or place.
Nuances
Using 整个 stresses that nothing is left out. It is stronger than just saying "all" or "every" because it highlights the unity and completeness of the object or group.
Common confusion
Don't confuse 整个 with 全部. 整个 often emphasizes the unity of a single entity or group as a whole, while 全部 can refer more generally to all parts or members individually. For example, 整个班级 means the class as a whole, while 全部同学 means all the students individually.