Which measure word should I use with 角色？

Question

Nciku tells me the proper measure word is 类, but a quick search on Google garnered mostly results like "哪类角色更容易赢“小金人”？“ implying that for the most part 类 is used when inquiring about a particular type of role. Does that mean that 个 is fine in most general statements?

Answer 1

It is understood that the noun dictates which measure word or measure words to use. Examples: 一只猫，or 一只狗， 一条狗。But, what about 一匹马 or 一群马？匹 or 群 conveys a different meaning: 匹 refers to individual horse whereas 群 refers to a group of horses. Just like in the question: 个 refers to a certain character/role but 类 refers to a kind of character/role. Another example: 一根白头发， 一撮白头发， 一头白头发。

Answer 2

Yes, you are right. 一个角色 means one character/role， and 一类角色 means one type of character/role。 It depends on what meaning you are trying to convey.