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这样 (zhè yàng) — like this, this way; such, this kind of

Definition

这样 (zhè yàng) is a demonstrative pronoun: 'this way / like this' refers to a manner or kind already mentioned. It pairs with nouns (这样的书) and verbs; 这么 is the adverbial 'so / this much' used directly before adjectives and verbs.

pronoun
like thisthis waysuchthis kind of

Examples

  • 这样。
    Qǐng zhè yàng zuò.
    Please do it this way.
  • 这样。
    zhè yàng De shū hěn hǎo kàn.
    This kind of book is really nice.
  • 这样。
    Nǐ bú yào zhè yàng shuō.
    Don't say it like this.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

这zhèthis
样yàngkind

这 points to something, and 样 gives the sense of kind or manner.

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 樣; 样 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
羕
羕yàng樣yàng
Same sound today

For 样, the traditional form 樣 pairs 木 (wood) with 羕 as a sound part.

Open 样 →

Grammar

Appears in
100 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 3.0 Level 2500 Most Frequent Chinese Words1000 Most Frequent Chinese Words2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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