Demonstrative pronouns are words used to point to or indicate a person, object, or idea. In Chinese, there are four basic demonstrative pronouns: 这 (zhè), 那 (nà), 这个 (zhè ge), and 那个 (nà ge), each with their own unique meanings and uses.
这 (zhè) – This
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 这 (zhè) is used to refer to objects or people that are near to the speaker. For example, “这是我的书” (zhè shì wǒ de shū) means “This is my book.”
那 (nà) – That
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 那 (nà) is used to refer to objects or people that are far from the speaker. For example, “那是你的车” (nà shì nǐ de chē) means “That is your car.”
这个 (zhè ge) – This one
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 这个 (zhè ge) is used to refer to a specific object that is near to the speaker. For example, “这个苹果很好吃” (zhè ge píng guǒ hěn hǎo chī) means “This apple is very delicious.”
那个 (nà ge) – That one
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 那个 (nà ge) is used to refer to a specific object that is far from the speaker. For example, “那个饭馆很出名” (nà ge fàn guǎn hěn chū míng) means “That restaurant is very famous.”
这边 (zhè biān) – This side
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 这边 (zhè biān) is used to refer to a specific side or direction that is near to the speaker. For example, “请坐在这边” (qǐng zuò zài zhè biān) means “Please sit on this side.”
那边 (nà biān) – That side
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 那边 (nà biān) is used to refer to a specific side or direction that is far from the speaker. For example, “那边有一个商场” (nà biān yǒu yī gè shāng chǎng) means “There is a shopping mall over there.”
这里 (zhè lǐ) – Here
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 这里 (zhè lǐ) is used to refer to a specific location that is near to the speaker. For example, “我在这里等你” (wǒ zài zhè lǐ děng nǐ) means “I am waiting for you here.”
那里 (nà lǐ) – There
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 那里 (nà lǐ) is used to refer to a specific location that is far from the speaker. For example, “你可以去那里买东西” (nǐ kě yǐ qù nà lǐ mǎi dōng xī) means “You can go there to buy things.”
这么 (zhè me) – Like this / This much
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 这么 (zhè me) is used to indicate the degree or manner of something. It is often used in conjunction with adjectives or adverbs to show the intensity or extent of a certain action or feeling. For example, “这么快就到了” (zhè me kuài jiù dào le) means “We arrived so fast.”
那么 (nà me) – Like that / That much
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 那么 (nà me) is used in a similar way to 这么 (zhè me), but it refers to something that is more distant from the speaker. It can be used to express comparisons or contrasts between two different things or situations. For example, “他们的生活那么幸福” (tā men de shēng huó nà me xìng fú) means “Their life is so happy like that.”
这样 (zhè yàng) – Like this / This way
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 这样 (zhè yàng) is used to indicate a particular way of doing something or a specific manner or style. It is often used with verbs to describe a particular action or behavior. For example, “你应该这样做” (nǐ yīng gāi zhè yàng zuò) means “You should do it this way.”
那样 (nà yàng) – Like that / That way
The Chinese demonstrative pronoun 那样 (nà yàng) is similar to 这样 (zhè yàng), but it refers to something that is more distant from the speaker. It can also be used to indicate a specific manner or style. For example, “他们那样做是错的” (tā men nà yàng zuò shì cuò de) means “They did it that way and it was wrong.”
Conclusion
In Chinese, demonstrative pronouns are an essential part of the language that help speakers to indicate and point to specific objects, people, or ideas. The four basic demonstrative pronouns, 这 (zhè), 那 (nà), 这个 (zhè ge), and 那个 (nà ge), along with their variations, such as 这边 (zhè biān), 那边 (nà biān), 这里 (zhè lǐ), 那里 (nà lǐ), 这么 (zhè me), 那么 (nà me), 这样 (zhè yàng), and 那样 (nà yàng), provide a wide range of ways to express location, direction, and degree in Chinese. By mastering these pronouns, learners can better communicate and understand the language.
Originally posted 2023-07-17 16:27:46.