这 and 那: This, That, Here, There, and 有的

Pattern

这/那 (+ number) + measure word + noun; 这些/那些 + noun; 这儿/这里, 那儿/那里; 有的/有些 + noun + verb

这 is near, 那 is far; add a measure word such as 个 for one item, 些 for several, and 儿 or 里 for a place.

那个人是我们的老师。

When to use 这 and 那: This, That, Here, There, and 有的

这 means “this” (near you) and 那 means “that” (farther away). On its own it can be the subject: 这是我的书. Before a noun, add a measure word: 这个人, 那本书, and a number goes between them: 这两本书. For more than one, use 这些/那些 “these/those” with no measure word: 这些苹果.

这是我的手机。

This is my phone.

这两本书都很好。

These two books are both good. (“this” + number + measure word)

那些衣服都太贵了。

Those clothes are all too expensive.

我在这儿，你在哪儿？

I’m here. Where are you?

Common traps

With a number, say 这两本书, not 两这本书: 这/那 comes first, then the number and the measure word.
Put 有的 at the front: 有的菜我不喜欢, not 我不喜欢有的菜.
For “here”, say 我在这儿 or 我在这里, not 我在这个: 这个 means “this one”, not a place.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

菜，我很喜欢

This dish, I really like it

zhè ge

Meanings

Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

When to use 这 and 那: This, That, Here, There, and 有的

Common traps

Targeted drill

Keep this pattern in review.