Name-calling with "zhege"

Chinese-grammar-wiki-zhe4.jpg

这个 (zhège) can be used by the speaker to emphasize how one regards something or someone. Using 这个 has a stronger effect, and is used with both making simple declarative statements as well as with rude name-calling.

You "Label"! with 这个

Structure

Subj. + 这个 + [Category]

When maliciously name-calling, you probably want to use "你这个 [mean name]."

Examples

  • 这个 坏蛋,就 没 做 过 一 件 好 事。zhège huàidàn, jiù méi zuò guo yī jiàn hǎoshì.You're such a bad person! You haven't done a single good thing.
  • 这个 马屁精,又 去 拍 老板 的 马屁 了。zhège mǎpìjīng, yòu qù pāi lǎobǎn de mǎpì le.He's such a brown-noser. He's kissing up to the boss again.
  • 上海 这个 城市,夏天 太 热,冬天 太 冷。Shànghǎi zhège chéngshì, xiàtiān tài rè, dōngtiān tài lěng.As for Shanghai, its summers are too hot and its winters are too cold.
  • 这个 人,怎么 能 做出 这样 的 事情?zhège rén, zěnme néng zuò chū zhèyàng de shìqing?What kind of person are you? How could you do this?
  • 这个 工作,还是 很 有 挑战 的。zhège gōngzuò, háishì hěn yǒu tiǎozhàn de.This job of his still has a lot of challenges.

Similar Pattern with 这种 and 这类

As 个 is a measure word it can be replaced by other measure words in this structure. Often it is replaced with 种 or 类. In this usage, it's not used for name-calling.

Structure

Subj. + 这种 / 这类 + [Category]

Examples

  • 猕猴桃 这种 水果,营养 价值 最 高。Míhóutáo zhè zhǒng shuǐguǒ, yíngyǎng jiàzhí zuì gāo.This fruit we call kiwifruit has a high nutritional value.
  • 这种 东西,可以 有 可以 没有。Qián zhè zhǒng dōngxi, kěyǐ yǒu kěyǐ méiyǒu.This thing we call money, I could take it or leave it.
  • 猴子 这种 动物,很 聪明 的。Hóuzi zhè zhǒng dòngwù, hěn cōngming de.This animal we call the monkey is very intelligent.
  • 游泳 这种 运动,需要 你 长期 坚持。Yóuyǒng zhè zhǒng yùndòng, xūyào nǐ chángqī jiānchí.Swimming is the kind of exercise that requires long-term persistence.
  • 抽奖 这种 活动 ,都是 骗人 的。Chōujiǎng zhè zhǒng huódòng, dōu shì piàn rén de.Raffles and the like are all scams.

Sources and further reading

Books

HSK5