Difference between revisions of "Measure words with "this" and "that""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
 
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In English, when you refer to "this table" or "that girl" you only need two words: "this" or "that" plus the noun you're referring to.  In Chinese, though, you also need a [[measure word]] in the middle between the two.  In the very beginning you can get away with using [[Measure_word_%22ge%22|个 ()]] for everything, but pretty soon you're going to have to start using other measure words in these simple phrases.
In English, when you refer to "that girl" or "this table" you only need two words: "this" or "that" plus the noun you're referring to.  In Chinese, though, you also need a [[measure word]] in the middle between the two.  In the very beginning you can get away with using 个 (ge) for everything, but pretty soon you're going to have to start using other measure words in these simple phrases.
 
  
 
== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
If you use 这 (zhè) or 那 (nà) before a noun, you need to include a [[measure word]] (MW).
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If you use 这 (zhè) or 那 (nà) before a noun, you also need to include a [[measure word]] before the noun.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
这 / 那 + MW + Noun
+
这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
== Examples ==
 
== Examples ==
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 +
Note: In this usage, the tone of 个 (gè) tends to soften, so it's represented below as a neutral tone.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* <em>那</em> 个 人 <span class="trans">that person</span>
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* <em>那</em> <strong>个</strong> <span class="pinyin"> <em>nà</em><strong>ge</strong> rén</span><span class="trans">that person</span>
* <em>这</em> 瓶 啤酒 <span class="trans">this bottle of beer</span>
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* <em>这</em> <strong>本</strong> 书 <span class="pinyin"> <em>zhè</em> <strong>běn</strong> shū</span><span class="trans">this book</span>
* <em>那</em> 块 巧克力 <span class="trans">that piece of chocolate</span>
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* <em>那</em> <strong>件</strong> 事 <span class="pinyin"> <em>nà</em> <strong>jiàn</strong> shì</span><span class="trans">that matter (in the sense of business, affair, or thing)</span>
* <em>这</em> 张 桌子 <span class="trans">this table</span>
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* <em>这</em> <strong>瓶</strong> 啤酒 <span class="pinyin"> <em>zhè</em> <strong>píng</strong> píjiǔ</span><span class="trans">this bottle of beer</span>
* <em></em> 本 书<span class="trans">this book</span>
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* <em></em> <strong>个</strong> 房间 <span class="pinyin"> <em>nà</em><strong>ge</strong> fángjiān</span><span class="trans">that room</span>
* <em></em> 个 手机<span class="trans">this cell phone</span>
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* <em>那</em> <strong>台</strong> 电脑 <span class="pinyin"> <em>nà</em> <strong>tái</strong> diànnǎo</span><span class="trans">that new computer</span>
* <em></em> 只 小 狗<span class="trans">this small dog</span>
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* <em></em> <strong>只</strong> <span class="pinyin"> <em>zhè</em> <strong>zhī</strong> māo</span><span class="trans">that cat</span>
* <em></em> 只 猫<span class="trans">that small cat</span>
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* <em>那</em> <strong>条</strong> 河 <span class="pinyin"> <em>nà</em> <strong>tiáo</strong> hé </span><span class="trans">that river</span>
* <em>那</em> 杯 咖啡<span class="trans">that cup of coffee</span>
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* <em>这</em> <strong>件</strong> 衣服 <span class="pinyin"><em>zhè</em> <strong>jiàn</strong> yīfu </span><span class="trans">this piece of clothing</span>
* <em></em> 条 鱼<span class="trans">that fish</span>
 
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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Although we didn't get into it here, the same pattern holds true when you use 哪 (nǎ) to ask "which?"
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (pp. 33) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy]
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{{Source|Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar|33}}
  
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 
[[Category:Measure words]]
 
[[Category:Measure words]]
{{Basic Grammar|这|A2|这 / 那 + MW (+ N)|那 <em>个</em> 人。这 <em>杯</em> 水。|grammar point|ASGZC42B}}
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{{Basic Grammar|这|A2|这 / 那 + Measure Word (+ Noun)|那 <em>个</em> 人。这 <em>杯</em> 水。|grammar point|ASGZC42B}}
 
{{Rel char|那}}
 
{{Rel char|那}}
 
{{Similar|"Some" Using "yixie"}}   
 
{{Similar|"Some" Using "yixie"}}   

Latest revision as of 08:57, 21 April 2021

In English, when you refer to "this table" or "that girl" you only need two words: "this" or "that" plus the noun you're referring to. In Chinese, though, you also need a measure word in the middle between the two. In the very beginning you can get away with using 个 (gè) for everything, but pretty soon you're going to have to start using other measure words in these simple phrases.

Structure

If you use 这 (zhè) or 那 (nà) before a noun, you also need to include a measure word before the noun.

这 / 那 + Measure Word + Noun

Examples

Note: In this usage, the tone of 个 (gè) tends to soften, so it's represented below as a neutral tone.

  • ge rénthat person
  • zhè běn shūthis book
  • jiàn shìthat matter (in the sense of business, affair, or thing)
  • 啤酒 zhè píng píjiǔthis bottle of beer
  • 房间 ge fángjiānthat room
  • 电脑 tái diànnǎothat new computer
  • zhè zhī māothat cat
  • tiáothat river
  • 衣服 zhè jiàn yīfu this piece of clothing

Although we didn't get into it here, the same pattern holds true when you use 哪 (nǎ) to ask "which?"

See also

Sources and further reading

Books