✈ NETCHAI Inbound Chinese Course

This, That, Which这是什么

LESSON
03

01Intro

Learn the words for pointing at things — "this / that / which" (这zhè／那nà／哪nǎ) — and "的," which marks "of / 's." Handy when pointing out products or menu items to a guest.

02Words

1
这(pron.)
zhèthis
2
那(pron.)
nàthat
3
哪(pron.)
nǎwhich
4
个(measure)
gegeneral measure word (counts most items)
5
的(part.)
deof / 's (possessive)
6
东西(n.)
dōngxithing, item
7
茶(n.)
chátea
8
水(n.)
shuǐwater

03Patterns

1
这zhè是shì什么shénme？
What is this?
2
这zhè是shì茶chá。
This is tea.
3
那nà是shì水shuǐ吗ma？
Is that water?
4
这zhè是shì我wǒ的de。
This is mine.
5
哪nǎ个ge是shì你nǐ的de？
Which one is yours?

04Dialog

SCENE　At the shop
顾客gùkèCustomer
请问qǐngwèn，这zhè是shì什么shénme？
店员diànyuánStaff
这zhè是shì茶chá。
顾客gùkèCustomer
那nà是shì水shuǐ吗ma？
店员diànyuánStaff
是shì，那nà是shì水shuǐ。

05Grammar

Grammar Point

Demonstratives "这・那・哪" / "的 (of / 's)"

Use 这 for something near the speaker, 那 for something farther away, and 哪 to ask which one.

① 这・那・哪

Add "个 + noun" after them to say "this …／that …／which …" (这zhè个ge／那nà个ge／哪nǎ个ge).

  • 这zhè个ge东西dōngxithis item.
  • 哪nǎ个ge是shì茶chá？Which one is the tea?

② 的 (of / 's)

It marks "whose" or "what kind of." 我wǒ的de (mine), 你nǐ的de (yours). The noun afterward can be dropped when it is clear from context.

  • 这zhè是shì我wǒ的de。This is mine.
  • 那nà是shì你nǐ的de吗ma？Is that yours?
Service tip: To point out a product, "这zhè个ge" or "那nà个ge" plus a gesture gets the message across just fine.

06Practice

  1. Point at something nearby and try "这zhè是shì什么shénme？" and "这zhè是shì〇〇."
  2. Say "这zhè是shì我wǒ的de" and "那nà是shì你nǐ的de."
  3. Answer "哪nǎ个ge是shì你nǐ的de？" with "这zhè个ge是shì我wǒ的de."

07Translation

Dialog — Reference Translation

CustomerExcuse me, what is this?
StaffThis is tea.
CustomerIs that water?
StaffYes, that is water.