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).
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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