Demonstratives 这/那 in Chinese

Overview

Chinese demonstratives 这 (zhè, this) and 那 (nà, that) are used to point to specific people, things, or places. They function similarly to English "this" and "that" but require a measure word (classifier) between the demonstrative and the noun. You cannot say 这书 -- it must be 这本书 (this book).

At the CEFR A1 level, demonstratives are essential for basic communication: pointing things out, asking about items, and specifying which thing you mean. Combined with 个 (gè, the general-purpose measure word), they enable you to refer to almost anything: 这个 (this one), 那个 (that one).

The demonstratives also form location words: 这里/这儿 (here) and 那里/那儿 (there), as well as the useful phrase 那么/这么 (that/this much, so).

How It Works

Pattern	Structure	Example	Meaning
Demonstrative + MW + Noun	这 + 本 + 书	这本书	this book
Demonstrative + MW (alone)	那 + 个	那个	that one
Demonstrative + 里/儿	这 + 里	这里	here
Demonstrative + 么	那 + 么	那么	so / that much

Common combinations

Chinese	Pinyin	English
这个	zhège	this one (general)
那个	nàge	that one (general)
这里 / 这儿	zhèlǐ / zhèr	here
那里 / 那儿	nàlǐ / nàr	there
这些	zhèxiē	these
那些	nàxiē	those

Note: 个 is the default measure word if you do not know the specific one.

Examples in Context

Chinese	Pinyin	English	Note
这个多少钱？	Zhège duōshǎo qián?	How much is this?	shopping
那是什么？	Nà shì shénme?	What is that?	那 as subject
这本书很好。	Zhè běn shū hěn hǎo.	This book is very good.	本 for books
我要那个。	Wǒ yào nàge.	I want that one.	pointing
这里有人吗？	Zhèlǐ yǒu rén ma?	Is anyone here?	location
那儿很远。	Nàr hěn yuǎn.	There is very far.	location
这些是我的。	Zhèxiē shì wǒ de.	These are mine.	plural
那个人是谁？	Nàge rén shì shéi?	Who is that person?	identifying
我喜欢这个，不喜欢那个。	Wǒ xǐhuān zhège, bù xǐhuān nàge.	I like this one, not that one.	contrast
这么贵！	Zhème guì!	So expensive!	degree

Common Mistakes

Omitting the measure word

• Wrong: 这书很好。
• Right: 这本书很好。(This book is very good.)
• Why: Demonstratives require a measure word before the noun. Use 个 if you do not know the specific one.

Confusing 这 and 那 usage

• Wrong: Using 这 when referring to something far away
• Right: 这 for things near the speaker; 那 for things far from the speaker
• Why: Like English this/that, proximity determines the choice.

Using 这个 as a filler excessively

• Wrong: Overusing 那个...那个... as a speech filler in formal situations
• Right: Be aware that 那个 (nàge/nèige) is a common filler in casual speech but should be minimized in formal contexts
• Why: While native speakers use it frequently, excessive filler words can undermine clarity.

Practice Tips

• Point to objects around you and practice: 这是... (this is...) and 那是... (that is...). Add measure words as you learn them.
• When shopping or eating, practice 这个, 那个 for ordering and selecting items -- this is one of the most practical everyday uses.
• Learn 这里 and 那里 early, as they appear in nearly every conversation about locations and directions.

Related Concepts