这么着 (zhè me zhe) — like this; this way; so (colloquial, used to describe a manner or method)

Definition

Colloquial 'this way / like this' for suggesting a method or manner. Stronger than 这样, which is more neutral; 这个 is a demonstrative pronoun for a thing, not a manner.

like thisthis wayso (colloquial, used to describe a manner or method)

Examples

  • 这么着，。
    zhè me zhe Zuò kěn dìng bù xíng, nǐ dé huàn gè fāng fǎ.
    Doing it this way definitely won't work; you need to change your approach.
  • 这么着，。
    Nǐ yào shi zhè me zhe xiǎng, nà jiù cuò le.
    If you think like this, then you're wrong.
  • 这么着，。
    Zán men zhè me zhe bàn ba, xiān chī fàn zài tǎo lùn.
    Let's do it this way: eat first, then discuss.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

这么so; this way
这zhèthis么mesuffix
着zhesuffix

这么着 extends 这 'this' with 么 and 着 into the colloquial sense 'this way'.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 這; 这 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辶Written in full as辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
言
言yán這zhè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In the traditional form 這, 辶 (walk) combines with 言 for the sound. The character first meant “to meet” and was later used for “this”.

Open 这 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 麼; 么 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
幺幺yāosmall, tiny
Sound part声符shēngfú
麻
麻má麼
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 麼 pairs 麻, which gives the sound, with 幺, which means small/tiny; the simplified 么 is a later shorthand.

Open 么 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 著; 着 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艸艸cǎograss; plant
Sound part声符shēngfú
者
者zhě著zháo
Same sound today

The traditional form 著 puts 艸 (grass; plant) above 者, which gives the sound; the simplified 着 is a later shorthand.

Open 着 →

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