這 / 这
zhè, zhèi
In Chinese, "this" is expressed as 這 / 这 (zhè, zhèi). Wiktionary also lists 這個 / 这个 and 這些 / 这些.
Meaning: the thing, item, etc. being indicated (pron)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 這 / 这 | zhè, zhèi |
| 這個 / 这个 | |
| 這些 / 这些 |
The word is used to indicate the thing, item, etc. being indicated (pron).
Which one should you use?
While 這 / 这 can stand alone in formal or written contexts, in spoken Mandarin it is almost always paired with a measure word like 這個 / 这个 when modifying a noun. For pluralizing the concept to "these", you use 這些 / 这些.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some northern Chinese dialects, a colloquial way to say 這個 is 这个儿 (zhè ge r). In Dungan, the forms җы and җыгә are used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, when 'this' is used as a determiner before a noun, it is most commonly used in the form 這個 / 这个 which includes a measure word. The plural form of 'this' is created by adding 些 (xiē) to the word, resulting in 這些 / 这些.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization for 這 / 这 is zhè, zhèi.
Did you know?
- The word 這個 / 这个 is frequently used as a filler word in spoken Chinese, similar to how English speakers use 'um' or 'like'.
- The use of 這 / 这 as a way to say 'this' may have happened simply because the character looked too much like the word for 'to block' or 'to cover', 遮.
- Dungan is a language spoken by the Hui people in Central Asia that uses the forms җы and җыгә for 'this'.
Examples in context
- 不好意思，我可以借这个吗？Excuse me, may I borrow this one?
- 这些衣服太贵了。These clothes are too expensive.
- 我喜欢吃这样的水果。I like to eat fruits like this.
- 能给我递这个吗？Can you pass me this one?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “this” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 這, CC BY-SA 4.0.
