zhèxiē: 这些 - These

• Keywords: zhexie, 这些, how to use zhexie, Chinese for these, what does zhexie mean, Chinese demonstrative pronouns, Chinese plural, zhe vs zhexie, naxie, HSK 1 grammar
• Summary: Learn how to use “这些” (zhèxiē), the essential Chinese word for “these.” This page breaks down its meaning, structure, and practical use in daily conversation. As a fundamental demonstrative pronoun, “这些” is used to point to multiple people or objects near the speaker. Understanding the difference between the singular “这” (zhè) and the plural “这些” (zhèxiē) is a crucial step for any beginner learning to navigate real-world situations in China, from ordering food to shopping at a market.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhèxiē
• Part of Speech: Demonstrative Pronoun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: These; these ones.
• In a Nutshell: “这些” is the direct equivalent of the English word “these.” It's a combination of “这” (zhè), meaning “this,” and “些” (xiē), a particle that indicates a plural amount. You use it to point out or refer to more than one thing that is physically or conceptually close to you.

• 这 (zhè): This character means “this.” It's composed of the radical `辶` (chuò), which is associated with walking or movement, and `文` (wén), meaning language or culture. You can think of it as pointing to something right here on your path.
• 些 (xiē): This character means “some,” “a few,” or “a bit.” It functions as a plural marker when attached to demonstratives like “这” (this) and “那” (that). It's made of `此` (cǐ - “this/here”) and `二` (èr - “two”), hinting at the idea of “more than one of this.”
• When combined, 这些 (zhèxiē) literally means “this-plural-amount,” which is a perfect conceptual match for the English word “these.”

While “这些” itself doesn't carry deep philosophical meaning, its usage highlights a key feature of the Chinese language: context and efficiency. Unlike English, which uses an “-s” suffix for most plurals, Mandarin relies on context and specific counters or markers like “些” to indicate plurality. In daily life, physically pointing while using “这些” (these) or “那些” (nàxiē - those) is extremely common and perfectly normal. This direct, demonstrative way of communicating is highly efficient in a high-context culture. For example, at a bustling market, instead of saying “I would like the green apples on the left,” a speaker can simply point and say, “这些苹果” (zhèxiē píngguǒ - “these apples”), and the meaning is instantly clear. This contrasts with some Western contexts where pointing can occasionally be seen as less polite. In China, it's just a practical part of everyday communication.

“这些” is a high-frequency word used in virtually all informal and formal situations. Its structure is straightforward and versatile.

• Basic Structure: 这些 + Noun
  • This is the most common usage. It directly modifies a noun to indicate “these [nouns]”.
  • Example: 这些书 (zhèxiē shū) - these books.
  • Example: 这些人 (zhèxiē rén) - these people.
• Structure with Measure Words: 这些 + Measure Word + Noun
  • When a noun requires a specific measure word (other than the general-purpose `个`), the measure word is included.
  • Example: 这些件衣服 (zhèxiē jiàn yīfu) - these pieces of clothing. (`件` is the measure word for clothes).
  • Example: 这些辆车 (zhèxiē liàng chē) - these vehicles. (`辆` is the measure word for vehicles).
• Used Alone (As a Pronoun)
  • When the noun is understood from the context, “这些” can stand on its own, just like “these” in English.
  • Example: (Looking at a table of food) “这些都很好吃。” (zhèxiē dōu hěn hǎochī) - “These are all delicious.”

• Example 1:
  • 这些苹果多少钱？
  • Pinyin: Zhèxiē píngguǒ duōshǎo qián?
  • English: How much are these apples?
  • Analysis: A classic and essential sentence for shopping. “这些” specifies the particular group of apples you are asking about.
• Example 2:
  • 这些是我的朋友。
  • Pinyin: Zhèxiē shì wǒ de péngyǒu.
  • English: These are my friends.
  • Analysis: Used to introduce a group of people who are present with you.
• Example 3:
  • 我不喜欢这些电影。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhèxiē diànyǐng.
  • English: I don't like these movies.
  • Analysis: Used to express an opinion about a specific set of items, in this case, movies you may have just watched or discussed.
• Example 4:
  • 请把这些杯子洗干净。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhèxiē bēizi xǐ gānjìng.
  • English: Please wash these cups.
  • Analysis: A common command or request. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used here to emphasize the object (“these cups”) and what is being done to it.
• Example 5:
  • 这些问题有点儿复杂。
  • Pinyin: Zhèxiē wèntí yǒudiǎnr fùzá.
  • English: These problems are a bit complicated.
  • Analysis: “这些” can be used for abstract concepts like problems, ideas, or reasons, not just physical objects.
• Example 6:
  • 这些天我都很忙。
  • Pinyin: Zhèxiē tiān wǒ dōu hěn máng.
  • English: I've been very busy these (past few) days.
  • Analysis: A very common time-related phrase. “这些天” refers to the recent period of a few days up to the present.
• Example 7:
  • 你看，这些照片是我们去年拍的。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn, zhèxiē zhàopiàn shì wǒmen qùnián pāi de.
  • English: Look, these photos are the ones we took last year.
  • Analysis: Perfect for showing something to someone. “这些” clearly indicates the specific photos you are presenting.
• Example 8:
  • 桌子上的这些，你都可以吃。
  • Pinyin: Zhuōzi shàng de zhèxiē, nǐ dōu kěyǐ chī.
  • English: You can eat all of these on the table.
  • Analysis: Here, “这些” is used alone as a pronoun, referring to the items on the table which are understood from context.
• Example 9:
  • 这些汉字怎么写？
  • Pinyin: Zhèxiē hànzì zěnme xiě?
  • English: How do you write these Chinese characters?
  • Analysis: A crucial sentence for learners pointing to characters in a textbook or on a sign.
• Example 10:
  • 除了这些，你还需要别的吗？
  • Pinyin: Chúle zhèxiē, nǐ hái xūyào biéde ma?
  • English: Besides these, do you need anything else?
  • Analysis: Shows how “这些” can be used in more complex sentences. It refers to a collection of items already discussed or selected.

• `这些` (zhèxiē) vs. `这个` (zhège): This is the most common mistake for beginners. `这些` is PLURAL (“these”), while `这个` is SINGULAR (“this one”). If you are pointing to a pile of three books, you must use `这些`.
  • Correct: 我要这些书。(Wǒ yào zhèxiē shū.) - I want these books.
  • Incorrect: 我要这个书。(Wǒ yào zhège shū.) - Grammatically awkward. Only correct if pointing at one book.
• `这些` (zhèxiē) vs. `那些` (nàxiē): The difference is proximity, just like “these” vs. “those” in English.
  • `这些` (zhèxiē): For things near you (within reach).
  • `那些` (nàxiē): For things farther away from you.
• Using “些” without “这” or “那”: The character `些 (xiē)` cannot be used on its own to mean “these.” It must be attached to a demonstrative like `这` (this), `那` (that), or a number like `一` (one) to form `一些` (yīxiē - some).

• 那些 (nàxiē) - The direct opposite of `这些`; it means “those” and refers to multiple items farther away from the speaker.
• 这个 (zhège) - The singular form of `这些`; it means “this” or “this one.”
• 那个 (nàge) - The singular form of `那些`; it means “that” or “that one.”
• 一些 (yīxiē) - Means “some” or “a few.” It's an indefinite pronoun, used when you're not pointing to a specific group. `这些` is definite (“these specific ones”), while `一些` is indefinite (“some of them”).
• 几个 (jǐ ge) - Means “several” or “a few.” Often implies a smaller number than `一些`. Also used in questions to ask “how many?”
• 这儿 (zhèr) / 这里 (zhèlǐ) - Means “here.” The locational counterpart to the object-focused `这些`.
• 所有 (suǒyǒu) - Means “all.” It is an all-encompassing term, stronger and more absolute than `这些`.
• 这 (zhè) - The root character for “this,” used as a prefix for many related terms.