那样 (nà yàng) — that kind; that sort; like that

Definition

那样 means 'that kind / like that' — used for a way or a type. Compare 那个 (a single thing, not a way) and 这样 (the 'this' counterpart).

pronoun

that kindthat sortlike that

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.

那 points to something, and 样 gives the sense of kind or manner, so it means “that kind” or “like that”.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

邑邑yìcity

Sound part声符shēngfú

冄

冉rǎn那nà

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The right part 邑 shows a city, and the left part 冄 (written 冉) gives the sound. The character first named a state and was later used to mean 'that'.

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.

木羕樣

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.

Appears in