那个东西
nàge dōngxi
In Chinese, "that thing" is expressed as 那个东西 (nàge dōngxi).
The phrase is used to refer to an object when the speaker does not know or remember its name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 那个 (nàge), meaning "that" and 东西 (dōngxi), meaning "thing" or "object".
Which one should you use?
While the phrase uses the characters for "thing", it is distinct from the term 东西 (dōng xī) which means "east and west" when the tone of the second syllable is changed.
How do you pronounce it?
nàge dōngxi
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling a person 那个东西 is a severe insult. While it literally means 'that thing', applying it to a human strips them of their humanity and suggests they are a despicable object.
- The word for 'thing' 东西 literally combines the characters for 'east' and 'west'. This likely originates from the ancient markets of Chang'an where goods were traded between the eastern and western markets.
- In rapid speech, many native speakers pronounce 那个 as 'nèige' rather than 'nàge'. This phonetic shift is so common that it sounds like a filler word, similar to how English speakers use 'um' or 'uh' while thinking.
Examples in context
- 那个东西是什么？What is that thing?
- 我有件事想和你谈谈，那件事让我很担心。I have something I want to discuss with you. That thing is making me very worried.
- 你见过那玩意儿吗？Have you seen that thing?
- 我想要那个东西。wǒ xiǎng yào nà ge dōng xi.I want that thing.
- 把那个东西给我。bǎ nà ge dōng xi gěi wǒ.Give that thing to me.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a strange souvenir in a shop.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，你看那个东西。Wěi, nǐ kàn nà ge dōng xi.Wei, look at that thing.
- 伟 Wei那是做什么用的？nà shì zuò shén me yòng de?What is that used for?
- 梓涵 Zihan我也不太清楚。wǒ yě bù tài qīng chu.I'm not quite sure either.
- 伟 Wei真奇怪。zhēn qí guài.It's really strange.
