Chinese words pronounced ke (any tone) 37 words, in the 4 tones ke is read in. kē (1st tone) 19 words 科(kē) branch of study 颗(kē) classifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grains, teeth, hearts, satellites etc 珂(kē) jade-like stone 磕(kē) to tap 棵(kē) classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc 科(kē) branch of study 顆(kē) classifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grains, teeth, hearts, satellites etc 珂(kē) jade-like stone 磕(kē) to tap 棵(kē) classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc All 19 words pronounced kē ké (2nd tone) 3 words 壳(ké) shell 咳(ké) cough 颏(ké) throat 殼(ké) shell 咳(ké) cough 頦(ké) throat kě (3rd tone) 3 words 可(kě) can 渴(kě) thirsty 炣(kě) fire 可(kě) can 渴(kě) thirsty 炣(kě) fire kè (4th tone) 14 words 克(kè) to be able to 客(kè) customer 课(kè) subject 刻(kè) quarter 恪(kè) respectful 剋(kè) to subdue 客(kè) customer 課(kè) subject 刻(kè) quarter 恪(kè) respectful All 14 words pronounced kè