这 means ‘this’, ‘these’, and ‘the’. It is used as part of a noun phrase in Chinese. It occurs at the beginning of a noun phrase, and the order of the noun phrase should be “Determiner+Number+Classifier+Noun”.
Determiner+Classifier+Noun
When the noun of a phrase is singular, such as a book, a pen, or a song, we usually omit the number 一 (one). Here are some examples of noun phrases that begin with 这:
- 这+本(classifier for books)+书(book)=这本书:This book
- 我喜欢这本书。 I like this book.
- 这本书很实用。This book is useful.
Another situation is that a noun is a plural form, but we do not know the exact number, we can use些. This word means ‘few’, and ‘some’, and it can replace all classifiers to express indefinite numbers.
- 这+些+书=这些书:These books
- 我不喜欢这些书。 I do not like these books.
- 这些书是关于旅行的。These books are about traveling.
Determiner+Number+Classifier+Noun
When the noun or noun phrase is in plural form, such as books, pens, or songs, and you know the exact quantity, we should put the number between determiner and classifier.
- 这+三(three)+支(classifier for rods)+笔(pen)=这三支笔:These three pens.
- 这三支笔是我的。These three pens are mine.
- 我不想要这三支笔I don’t want to have these three pens.
Apart from 这, we also have another determiner 那, do you know the difference between these two words?
[…] 这 means ‘this’ or ‘these’ and 那 means ‘that’ or ‘those’. 这 is used to refer to a person or thing closer to the speaker. […]