zhè: 这 - This, These

zhè: 这 - This, These

Quick Summary

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Summary: Learn how to use “这” (zhè), the essential Chinese word for “this” and “these.” This guide covers its core meaning, pronunciation, practical use with measure words, and common mistakes. Understand how “这” is fundamental for pointing out objects, people, and ideas, making it one of the first and most important words for any beginner learning Mandarin Chinese.

Core Meaning

Pinyin (with tone marks): zhè (often pronounced zhèi in colloquial speech)
Part of Speech: Demonstrative Pronoun
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition: “This” or “these”; refers to something near the speaker in space, time, or context.
In a Nutshell: “这” (zhè) is the Chinese equivalent of “this.” It's your go-to word for pointing to something physically close to you, or for referring to the topic you are currently discussing. It forms a fundamental pair with 那 (nà), which means “that.” Mastering “这” is a critical first step in building basic Chinese sentences.

Character Breakdown

The character 这 is a phono-semantic compound, meaning it combines a component for meaning and a component for sound.
`* 辶 (chuò):` This is the “walk” radical. It is found in many characters related to movement, distance, or location. Here, it gives the sense of “arriving at” or “pointing to” a location.
`* 文 (wén):` This character means “language” or “culture.” In “这”, it primarily functions as the phonetic component, hinting at the sound.
Together, they form “这,” a character used to point to something specific and close by. Its traditional form is 這.

Cultural Context and Significance

While “这” itself is a simple demonstrative, its usage highlights a key feature of the Chinese language: specificity. In English, you can say “I want this book.” In Chinese, you almost always need a measure word: “我要这本书” (Wǒ yào zhè běn shū).
This required specificity can be contrasted with the sometimes more ambiguous nature of English. The structure `这 + Measure Word + Noun` forces the speaker to classify the object they are referring to. This reflects a linguistic tendency to categorize objects clearly. For example, you use `本 (běn)` for books, `张 (zhāng)` for flat objects like tables or paper, and `个 (ge)` as a general-purpose counter.
The directness of using “这” to point and identify is universal, but its grammatical pairing with measure words is a unique and essential aspect of the Chinese worldview embedded in its language.

Practical Usage in Modern China

1. Pointing out an object or person (most common):
- The structure is `这 + Measure Word + Noun`. Omitting the measure word is a common beginner mistake and sounds unnatural in most cases.
- “This person is my friend.” → 这个人是我的朋友。(Zhè ge rén shì wǒ de péngyou.)
- “I like this cup.” → 我喜欢这个杯子。(Wǒ xǐhuān zhè ge bēizi.)
2. As a standalone pronoun (“this thing”):
- When used alone, “这” acts like “this” or “this matter.”
- “What is this?” → 这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?)
- “This is very difficult.” → 这很难。( Zhè hěn nán.)
3. Colloquial Pronunciation “zhèi”:
- In spoken Mandarin, especially in Northern China, when “这” is followed by a measure word, it is almost always pronounced zhèi. This is a crucial tip for sounding natural.
- `这个人` is pronounced `zhèi ge rén`.
- `这本书` is pronounced `zhèi běn shū`.
4. Expressing Immediacy (这 + 就):
- Combined with 就 (jiù), it means “right now” or “immediately.”
- “I'll go right now.” → 我这就去。(Wǒ zhè jiù qù.)
5. Referring to a place or time:
- Combined with 里 (lǐ) or 儿 (ér), it becomes “here”: 这里 (zhèlǐ) or 这儿 (zhèr).
- Combined with 些 (xiē), it becomes plural: 这些 (zhèxiē), meaning “these.”

Example Sentences

Example 1:
- 这是我的猫。
- Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ de māo.
- English: This is my cat.
- Analysis: The most basic structure. “这” acts as the subject, meaning “this.”
Example 2:
- 这本书很有意思。
- Pinyin: Zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi. (Often spoken: Zhèi běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi.)
- English: This book is very interesting.
- Analysis: Demonstrates the essential `这 + Measure Word (本) + Noun (书)` structure. Note the colloquial pronunciation `zhèi`.
Example 3:
- 你看这张照片，是我小时候。
- Pinyin: Nǐ kàn zhè zhāng zhàopiàn, shì wǒ xiǎoshíhou.
- English: Look at this photo, it's from when I was little.
- Analysis: Here, `张 (zhāng)` is the correct measure word for a flat object like a photo.
Example 4:
- 这些水果都很甜。
- Pinyin: Zhèxiē shuǐguǒ dōu hěn tián.
- English: These fruits are all very sweet.
- Analysis: Using `这些 (zhèxiē)` to refer to multiple items (the plural form of “this”).
Example 5:
- 这里的风景真美！
- Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng zhēn měi!
- English: The scenery here is truly beautiful!
- Analysis: “这” is combined with “里” to form `这里 (zhèlǐ)`, meaning “here” or “this place.”
Example 6:
- 你为什么会知道这件事？
- Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme huì zhīdào zhè jiàn shì?
- English: How did you know about this matter?
- Analysis: Shows “这” used to refer to an abstract concept or situation (“matter,” “affair”). `件 (jiàn)` is the measure word for “matter” or “issue.”
Example 7:
- 我不喜欢这样做。
- Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhèyàng zuò.
- English: I don't like doing it this way.
- Analysis: `这样 (zhèyàng)` means “like this” or “in this manner,” a very common and useful phrase.
Example 8:
- 你别急，我这就来帮你。
- Pinyin: Nǐ bié jí, wǒ zhè jiù lái bāng nǐ.
- English: Don't worry, I'll come help you right now.
- Analysis: This example shows the `这就 (zhè jiù)` structure to indicate an immediate action.
Example 9:
- A: 我们去哪儿吃饭？ B: 就去这家吧，看起来不错。
- Pinyin: A: Wǒmen qù nǎr chīfàn? B: Jiù qù zhè jiā ba, kànqǐlái búcuò.
- English: A: Where should we go to eat? B: Let's just go to this one, it looks pretty good.
- Analysis: A conversational example where `家 (jiā)` is the measure word for establishments like restaurants or shops.
Example 10:
- 这几年来，城市变化很大。
- Pinyin: Zhè jǐ nián lái, chéngshì biànhuà hěn dà.
- English: In these past few years, the city has changed a lot.
- Analysis: “这” is used to refer to a period of time that is close to the present.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Forgetting the Measure Word.
- This is the most frequent error for learners.
- Incorrect: 我要这苹果。(Wǒ yào zhè píngguǒ.)
- Correct: 我要这个苹果。(Wǒ yào zhè ge píngguǒ.)
- Rule: When “这” modifies a noun, you almost always need a measure word in between. The only common exceptions are with words that are already measures of a sort, like `天 (tiān)` day, or `年 (nián)` year.
Mistake 2: Confusing 这 (zhè) and 那 (nà).
- The distinction is the same as “this” and “that” in English. Use “这” for things physically or conceptually close to you. Use “那” for things that are far.
- Context: You are holding a book. Someone asks what it is.
- Correct: 这是我的书。(This is my book.)
- Incorrect: 那是我的书。(That is my book.)
Mistake 3: Using the wrong pronunciation.
- While `zhè` is technically correct, using it before a measure word in conversation (e.g., saying `zhè ge rén` instead of `zhèi ge rén`) can sound stiff and unnatural, like a news broadcaster.
- Tip: When speaking, try to get comfortable with the `zhèi` pronunciation. It will make your spoken Chinese sound much more fluent.

Related Terms and Concepts

`* 那 (nà)` - The direct antonym of 这, meaning “that” or “those.”
`* 哪 (nǎ)` - The question word “which.” The three (这, 那, 哪) form a basic set.
`* 这里 (zhèlǐ)` - “Here,” this place.
`* 这儿 (zhèr)` - A colloquial and very common, especially northern, synonym for `这里`.
`* 这样 (zhèyàng)` - “This way,” “in this manner,” “like this.”
`* 这些 (zhèxiē)` - The plural form, “these.”
`* 这个 (zhège)` - “This one.” The most common `这 + measure word` combination.
`* 这么 (zhème)` - “So,” “this” (to this degree). E.g., `这么好 (zhème hǎo)` - so good.

Table of Contents

zhè: 这 - This, These

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

Practical Usage in Modern China

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Related Terms and Concepts