When learning Chinese, one of the first things you will encounter is the use of demonstrative pronouns. These are words like this and that in English. In Chinese, these words are 这 (Zhè) and 那 (Nà), respectively. Understanding how to use these words correctly is essential for clear communication. In this article, we will delve into the differences between 这 and 那, their usage, and some common phrases that will help you master these fundamental elements of the Chinese language.
Firstly, let’s break down the basic meanings of these two words. 这 (Zhè) means this and is used to refer to something that is close to the speaker. On the other hand, 那 (Nà) means that and is used to refer to something that is farther away from the speaker. This distinction is quite similar to how we use this and that in English.
For example:
– 这本书 (Zhè běn shū) – This book
– 那本书 (Nà běn shū) – That book
In these examples, 这 is used to indicate a book that is near the speaker, while 那 is used to indicate a book that is farther away.
Now, let’s explore how to use these words in sentences. In Chinese, the structure is quite straightforward. You place 这 or 那 before a noun to specify which object you are talking about. For instance:
– 这是我的手机 (Zhè shì wǒ de shǒujī) – This is my phone
– 那是他的车 (Nà shì tā de chē) – That is his car
You can see from these examples that the sentence structure in Chinese is subject + verb + object, similar to English. The key difference is the use of 这 and 那 to specify which object you are referring to.
Another important aspect of using 这 and 那 is their role in questions. You can use these words to ask questions about the identity of objects or people. For example:
– 这是什么？ (Zhè shì shénme?) – What is this?
– 那是谁？ (Nà shì shéi?) – Who is that?
These questions are very useful in daily conversations, especially when you are learning new vocabulary and need to ask about unfamiliar objects or people.
In addition to their basic usage, 这 and 那 can also be combined with measure words to provide more specific information. Measure words are an essential part of Chinese grammar and are used to count nouns. For example:
– 这个人 (Zhè ge rén) – This person
– 那只猫 (Nà zhī māo) – That cat
In these examples, 个 (ge) is a general measure word used for people and many other objects, while 只 (zhī) is a measure word used specifically for animals. By combining 这 or 那 with measure words, you can create more precise expressions.
One interesting feature of Chinese is the use of 这 and 那 in colloquial speech. In casual conversations, you might hear people adding an extra syllable for emphasis. For example:
– 这儿 (Zhèr) – Here
– 那儿 (Nàr) – There
These forms are often used to emphasize the location of an object or person. For instance:
– 你在这儿做什么？ (Nǐ zài zhèr zuò shénme?) – What are you doing here?
– 我们要去那儿 (Wǒmen yào qù nàr) – We are going there
While these forms are more common in spoken Chinese, it is still important to recognize them as they are frequently used in everyday conversations.
Another point to consider is the use of 这 and 那 in different Chinese dialects. In Mandarin, which is the standard form of Chinese, 这 is pronounced as zhè, and 那 is pronounced as nà. However, in some southern dialects, such as Cantonese, these words might sound slightly different. For example, in Cantonese, 这 is pronounced as nī, and 那 is pronounced as nàh. While this article focuses on Mandarin, being aware of these variations can be helpful if you encounter different Chinese dialects.
To further enhance your understanding, let’s look at some common phrases that incorporate 这 and 那:
– 这儿有很多人 (Zhèr yǒu hěn duō rén) – There are many people here
– 那边很远 (Nà biān hěn yuǎn) – That side is very far
– 这次我赢了 (Zhè cì wǒ yíng le) – This time I won
– 那天我们去了公园 (Nà tiān wǒmen qù le gōngyuán) – That day we went to the park
These phrases are useful in various contexts and demonstrate how 这 and 那 can be used to describe locations, events, and quantities.
In conclusion, mastering the use of 这 (Zhè) and 那 (Nà) is crucial for effective communication in Chinese. These words are used to indicate proximity and can be combined with nouns, measure words, and other expressions to convey specific information. By practicing these words in different contexts, you will become more comfortable using them and enhance your overall proficiency in Chinese. Remember, like any aspect of language learning, consistent practice and exposure are key to mastering these fundamental elements. So, the next time you find yourself in a Chinese-speaking environment, try using 这 and 那 to describe the world around you.
