这、那
this (near) / that (further away)
Structure
这／那 + 是 …… · 这／那 + 量词 + 名词
What it means
这 zhè means “this” (near you); 那 nà means “that” (further away, over there).
How it is built
这/那 + 是 …: 这是茶，那是水 (This is tea; that's water). Before a noun, add a measure word, usually 个: 这个老师 (this teacher), 那个手机 (that phone).
When to use it
Before 是 they stand alone: 这是大卫. Before a noun they take a measure word. In 这个 and 那个 the 个 is light (zhè ge, nà ge), and many people say zhèige and nèige.
Watch out
Put the measure word in: ✓ 这个人 (this person), 那个手机. In fast speech you may hear 这人, but learn the full form first. And 那 nà (that) is not 哪 nǎ (which?).
Examples
这是茶，那是水。
This is tea, and that’s water.
这个老师是英国人。
This teacher is British.
那个手机是谁的？
Whose phone is that?
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 2: 你是哪国人 (Where are you from?)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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