Learning a new language can be both challenging and rewarding. Among the various elements that make up a language, pronouns hold a special place as they are used in everyday conversation to replace nouns and make sentences less repetitive. In Mandarin Chinese, demonstrative pronouns are particularly important for beginners to grasp as they help in identifying and distinguishing between objects and people. Two of the most commonly used demonstrative pronouns in Chinese are 这 (zhè) and 那 (nà). This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these pronouns, their uses, and how they function within sentences.
Understanding Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are words used to point to specific things or people, either in proximity or at a distance from the speaker. In English, the equivalent would be “this” and “that.” In Mandarin Chinese, these pronouns are 这 (zhè) for “this” and 那 (nà) for “that.”
Pronunciation and Basic Usage
The pronunciation of 这 is zhè, and it is used to refer to something that is near the speaker. Conversely, 那 is pronounced nà and is used to refer to something that is farther away from the speaker.
For example:
– 这本书 (zhè běn shū) – This book
– 那本书 (nà běn shū) – That book
These pronouns are typically followed by a measure word (量词, liàng cí) and a noun. In the examples above, 本 (běn) is the measure word for books.
Measure Words
Measure words are an essential aspect of the Chinese language, and they must be used when counting or specifying quantities of nouns. Each noun has its corresponding measure word, and using the wrong one can lead to confusion or incorrect sentences.
Some common measure words include:
– 个 (gè) for general objects and people
– 张 (zhāng) for flat objects like paper and tickets
– 条 (tiáo) for long, thin objects like fish and rivers
When using demonstrative pronouns, the structure generally follows this pattern:
Demonstrative pronoun + Measure word + Noun
For example:
– 这个人 (zhè gè rén) – This person
– 那条鱼 (nà tiáo yú) – That fish
Distinguishing Between 这 and 那
Understanding when to use 这 and 那 is crucial for clear communication. The primary distinction lies in the proximity of the object or person to the speaker.
Using 这 (zhè)
Use 这 when referring to something that is close to the speaker. It often implies that the object or person is within arm’s reach or easily accessible.
Examples:
– 这杯茶 (zhè bēi chá) – This cup of tea
– 这条路 (zhè tiáo lù) – This road
– 这些书 (zhè xiē shū) – These books (notice the plural form 这些 (zhè xiē))
Using 那 (nà)
Use 那 when referring to something that is farther away from the speaker. It suggests that the object or person is not immediately accessible and might require some effort to reach.
Examples:
– 那座山 (nà zuò shān) – That mountain
– 那辆车 (nà liàng chē) – That car
– 那些人 (nà xiē rén) – Those people (notice the plural form 那些 (nà xiē))
Plural Forms
In Mandarin, the plural forms of demonstrative pronouns are created by adding the character 些 (xiē) after the pronoun.
For example:
– 这些 (zhè xiē) – These
– 那些 (nà xiē) – Those
Examples:
– 这些苹果 (zhè xiē píng guǒ) – These apples
– 那些房子 (nà xiē fáng zi) – Those houses
Combining with Verbs
Demonstrative pronouns can also be combined with verbs to create more complex sentences.
For example:
– 这是我的书 (zhè shì wǒ de shū) – This is my book
– 那是他的车 (nà shì tā de chē) – That is his car
In these sentences, 是 (shì) is the verb “to be,” which links the demonstrative pronoun with the noun.
Questions with Demonstrative Pronouns
When forming questions, demonstrative pronouns can be very useful.
For example:
– 这是什么？(zhè shì shén me?) – What is this?
– 那是谁的？(nà shì shéi de?) – Whose is that?
These questions are straightforward and commonly used in everyday conversations.
Contextual Usage
Understanding the context in which these pronouns are used can help in mastering their application.
Everyday Conversations
In daily life, 这 and 那 are frequently used to point out objects, people, or events.
Examples:
– 这家餐厅很好吃 (zhè jiā cān tīng hěn hǎo chī) – This restaurant is very delicious
– 那部电影很好看 (nà bù diàn yǐng hěn hǎo kàn) – That movie is very good
Classroom Settings
In a classroom, teachers often use demonstrative pronouns to help students focus on specific items or concepts.
Examples:
– 这道题怎么做？(zhè dào tí zěn me zuò?) – How do you do this question?
– 那本书在哪儿？(nà běn shū zài nǎ er?) – Where is that book?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning a new language comes with its set of challenges, and Mandarin is no exception. Here are some common mistakes learners make with 这 and 那 and tips on how to avoid them.
Confusing 这 and 那
One common mistake is confusing 这 with 那. This usually happens because both words are visually and phonetically distinct but serve similar functions. The key is to always consider the proximity of the object or person being referred to.
Tip: Practice by physically pointing to objects near and far from you while saying 这 and 那. This will help reinforce the concept of proximity in your mind.
Omitting Measure Words
Another frequent error is omitting the measure word between the demonstrative pronoun and the noun. In Mandarin, the measure word is necessary and cannot be skipped.
Tip: Make a list of common nouns you use frequently and memorize their measure words. Practice using them in sentences with 这 and 那.
Incorrect Plural Forms
Some learners struggle with forming the correct plural forms. Remember that adding 些 after the pronoun forms the plural.
Tip: Practice using 这些 and 那些 in sentences to get comfortable with the plural forms.
Advanced Usage
Once you’ve mastered the basic and intermediate uses of 这 and 那, you can move on to more advanced applications.
Expressing Abstract Ideas
Demonstrative pronouns can also be used to refer to abstract ideas, not just physical objects.
Examples:
– 这让我很高兴 (zhè ràng wǒ hěn gāo xìng) – This makes me very happy
– 那是个好主意 (nà shì gè hǎo zhǔ yì) – That is a good idea
Combining with Other Pronouns
You can also combine 这 and 那 with other pronouns to create more complex sentences.
Examples:
– 这是我妈妈 (zhè shì wǒ mā ma) – This is my mother
– 那是他的老师 (nà shì tā de lǎo shī) – That is his teacher
Conclusion
Demonstrative pronouns 这 and 那 are fundamental components of the Mandarin Chinese language. Understanding their proper usage can significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively. Whether you’re pointing out objects in your immediate vicinity or referring to something further away, mastering these pronouns will make your conversations smoother and more natural.
By paying attention to the proximity of the objects or people you’re referring to, using the correct measure words, and practicing their plural forms, you’ll be well on your way to using 这 and 那 accurately. As with any language skill, practice is key. Engage in conversations, use these pronouns in context, and soon they’ll become second nature.
Happy learning, and remember: 这 is for what is near, 那 is for what is far!
