Demonstrative pronouns are an essential part of any language, as they help us point out specific items and differentiate between objects that are near and far. In Mandarin Chinese, two of the most fundamental demonstrative pronouns are 这 (zhè) and 那 (nà). These words roughly translate to “this” and “that” in English, respectively. Understanding how to use these pronouns effectively is crucial for mastering Chinese. This article will delve into the nuances of 这 and 那, providing you with a comprehensive guide on their usage.
Understanding 这 (zhè) and 那 (nà)
Both 这 (zhè) and 那 (nà) are used to indicate specific objects or people, but they differ in terms of proximity.
– 这 (zhè): This pronoun is used to refer to something that is close to the speaker. It’s akin to the English word “this.”
– 那 (nà): This pronoun is used to refer to something that is farther away from the speaker, similar to “that” in English.
Basic Sentence Structure
In Chinese, demonstrative pronouns are usually placed before the noun they modify. The basic sentence structure looks like this:
– 这 + Noun
– 那 + Noun
For example:
– 这本书 (zhè běn shū) – This book
– 那个人 (nà gè rén) – That person
Using Measure Words
In Mandarin, measure words (also known as classifiers) are often required when using demonstrative pronouns with nouns. The general formula is:
– 这 + Measure Word + Noun
– 那 + Measure Word + Noun
Some common measure words include:
– 个 (gè): General measure word
– 本 (běn): Used for books
– 张 (zhāng): Used for flat objects like paper and tickets
For example:
– 这个人 (zhè gè rén) – This person
– 那本书 (nà běn shū) – That book
– 这张票 (zhè zhāng piào) – This ticket
Contextual Usage
The context in which 这 and 那 are used can vary. Here are some common scenarios:
Talking About Objects
When discussing objects that are near or far, 这 and 那 are indispensable.
Example:
– 这辆车是我的 (zhè liàng chē shì wǒ de) – This car is mine.
– 那栋楼很高 (nà dòng lóu hěn gāo) – That building is very tall.
Referring to People
When pointing out specific people, 这 and 那 are used similarly.
Example:
– 这个人是我的朋友 (zhè gè rén shì wǒ de péngyǒu) – This person is my friend.
– 那位老师很有名 (nà wèi lǎoshī hěn yǒumíng) – That teacher is very famous.
Discussing Time
Interestingly, 这 and 那 can also be used to refer to specific time periods.
Example:
– 这个星期 (zhè gè xīngqī) – This week
– 那一年 (nà yī nián) – That year
Expressing Abstract Concepts
These pronouns can also be used to talk about more abstract concepts.
Example:
– 这个想法很好 (zhè gè xiǎngfǎ hěn hǎo) – This idea is good.
– 那个问题很复杂 (nà gè wèntí hěn fùzá) – That problem is very complex.
Common Phrases and Idioms
Understanding common phrases and idioms that use 这 and 那 can enrich your vocabulary and make your speech more natural.
Common Phrases
1. 这边 (zhè biān) – This side
2. 那边 (nà biān) – That side
3. 这里 (zhè lǐ) – Here
4. 那里 (nà lǐ) – There
Example:
– 请到这边来 (qǐng dào zhè biān lái) – Please come this way.
– 他住在那里 (tā zhù zài nà lǐ) – He lives there.
Idioms
1. 这山望着那山高 (zhè shān wàng zhe nà shān gāo) – The grass is always greener on the other side.
2. 这回 (zhè huí) – This time
3. 那个时候 (nà gè shíhòu) – At that time
Example:
– 这回他做得很好 (zhè huí tā zuò dé hěn hǎo) – He did very well this time.
– 那个时候我还小 (nà gè shíhòu wǒ hái xiǎo) – I was still young at that time.
Special Cases and Exceptions
Like any language, Chinese has its exceptions and special cases. Here are some situations where the usage of 这 and 那 might differ.
Combining with Other Words
Sometimes, 这 and 那 are combined with other words to create compound words or phrases.
Example:
– 这么 (zhème) – So, such
– 那么 (nàme) – Then, so
Usage:
– 这么好 (zhème hǎo) – So good
– 那么远 (nàme yuǎn) – So far
Questions and Answers
When asking questions, the use of 这 and 那 can help specify which object or person you’re inquiring about.
Example:
– 这个是谁的？(zhè gè shì shéi de?) – Whose is this?
– 那个是什么？(nà gè shì shénme?) – What is that?
In responses, you can use 这 and 那 to clarify the subject.
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.
Regional Variations
In different Chinese-speaking regions, the pronunciation and usage of 这 and 那 might slightly vary. For instance, in some southern dialects, 这 can be pronounced as “zhèi” and 那 as “nèi.” However, the standard Mandarin pronunciation remains “zhè” and “nà.”
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of 这 and 那, it’s essential to practice. Here are some exercises you can try:
Fill in the Blanks
1. ___本书很有趣。(This book is very interesting.)
2. ___位老师教得很好。(That teacher teaches very well.)
3. ___个问题很难。(This problem is very difficult.)
4. ___栋楼很高。(That building is very tall.)
Translate the Sentences
1. This person is my friend.
2. That car is very expensive.
3. This idea is excellent.
4. At that time, I was very happy.
Choose the Correct Pronoun
1. ___(这/那)里有很多人。(There are many people here.)
2. 我喜欢___(这/那)个颜色。(I like this color.)
3. ___(这/那)些书是新的。(Those books are new.)
4. ___(这/那)边的风景很美。(The scenery on that side is beautiful.)
Conclusion
Mastering the use of 这 (zhè) and 那 (nà) is a crucial step in becoming proficient in Mandarin Chinese. These demonstrative pronouns are fundamental for everyday conversation, helping you specify and clarify the subjects you’re talking about. By understanding their basic usage, contextual applications, and special cases, you can significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Chinese. Practice regularly, and soon you’ll find yourself using 这 and 那 with confidence and ease.
