这 (zhè) — this; these
Definition
Demonstrative pronoun for 'this/these', used to point to something near the speaker. Contrasts with 那 ('that/those'); for a specific item use 这 + measure word (e.g. 这个).
pronoun
thisthese
Examples
- 这。zhè Shì shū.This is a book.
- 。zhè Ge píng guǒ hěn dà.This apple is very big.
- 这。zhè Shì wǒ de péng you.This is my friend.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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”.
Grammar
Appears in
Browse more HSK 1 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.