这
this
HSK level
- Pinyin
- zhè
- Part of speech
- pronoun
- Level
- HSK 1
- Strokes
- 7
- Register
- neutral
Stroke order for 这
这 is written with 7 strokes. The animation replays automatically.
What does 这 mean?
这 (zhè) is the Mandarin demonstrative 'this' — pointing to something near the speaker, in contrast to 那 (nà, 'that').
Two things differ from English: first, 这 almost never stands alone before a noun — it pairs with a measure word: 这个人 ('this person'), 这本书 ('this book'), 这件衣服 ('this piece of clothing'); 这书 sounds wrong to native ears; second, in casual spoken Mandarin, 这 + measure word often blends into zhèi (这个 → zhèi ge), though writing keeps zhè. To say 'this is…' as a standalone, use 这是 + noun (这是我的书 'this is my book'), where no measure word is needed because there's no counted noun directly after.
The plural is 这些 (zhèxiē, 'these'). The 辶 (walking) radical relates to motion/direction — pointing toward something.
Note: Pronounced zhè in formal/written contexts and zhèi in colloquial speech (especially when followed by a measure word: 这个 → zhèi ge).
Memory hook: 这 (this, near) and 那 (that, far). 这 = right here, 那 = over there. Always pair with a measure word before a noun.
Example sentences
这是我的书。
Zhè shì wǒ de shū.
This is my book.
neutral
这个人是谁？
Zhège rén shì shéi?
Who is this person?
spoken
我喜欢这件衣服。
Wǒ xǐhuan zhè jiàn yīfu.
I like this piece of clothing.
spoken
这儿有很多人。
Zhèr yǒu hěn duō rén.
There are a lot of people here.
spoken
Common phrases with 这
Don't confuse 这 with
那 means 'that' — the far-side pair to 这. 这 = near the speaker (this, here); 那 = farther away (that, there). 这本书 ('this book') vs 那本书 ('that book').
着 is the continuous-aspect particle ('-ing'): 看着 ('looking / watching'). Same first letter and zh- sound but completely different function — 着 is grammar, 这 is a pronoun.
之 is a classical/formal possessive particle, similar to 的. Same zh- start but historical/literary. Don't substitute 之 for 这.
FAQ
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