This One, That One 这

You’re meeting a classmate at school. You wave them over: 这儿, “over here.” They point to a bench across the courtyard: 那儿, “over there.” The same near/far choice works for things and groups, too.

Choosing Between Two Things

When you point to an item without naming it, use 这个 for “this one” and 那个 for “that one.” Put a measure word between 这/那 and a noun: 这本书, 那杯茶. Two Cups, Three Books explains how to choose that measure word.

Pointing Out a Place

这儿/这里 point to where you are; 那儿/那里 point somewhere else. The 儿 forms are especially common in northern speech. You’ll also hear 这里 and 那里 widely, especially in careful or written language.

Pointing to a Group

Add 些 to 这 or 那 when you mean “these” or “those.” It does not tell you exactly how many; it just gathers the things you’re pointing at into a group.

Vocabulary