这话 (zhè huà) — this remark, these words (referring to a preced…

Definition

Refers back to something just said — 'this remark', 'these words'. The speaker is pointing to the prior statement itself, not the topic it concerns.

pronoun

this remarkthese words (referring to a preceding statement)

这话，。
Nǐ zhè huà shuō de duì, wǒ tóng yì.
What you said is right; I agree.
这话。
zhè huà Tīng qǐ lái bú tài hé lǐ.
This remark doesn't sound very reasonable.
这话？
Tā zhè huà shì shén me yì si?
What does he mean by that remark?

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.

辶言這

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辶Written in full as辵chuòwalk

Sound part声符shēngfú

言

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”.

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 話; 话 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

𠯑

𠯑𠯑話huà

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 話, 言 relates to words and 𠯑 gives the sound; the simplified 话 is a shorthand, so its right side is not that sound part.

Appears in