In this section, we cover demonstrative pronouns, classifiers, and other essential grammatical tools for designating, identifying, and questioning.
Demonstrative pronouns 这 and 那
Chinese has two main demonstrative pronouns:
那 = that (far)
这 refers to something close to the speaker (like “this, that” in French), while 那 refers to something far (like “that, those”).
When used with a noun, they must be followed by a classifier:
这本书 — this book (near)
那件衣服 — that piece of clothing (far)
They can also be used alone as subjects:
这是我的。 — This is mine.
那不是我的。 — That isn’t mine.
WARNING
In Chinese, you cannot say 这书 (without a classifier). A classifier must always come between the demonstrative and the noun: 这本书. The only case where the classifier is omitted is when the demonstrative is used alone: 这是我的。
Locatives 这儿 and 那儿
Adding the suffix 儿 to the demonstratives creates locatives (place words):
那儿 = there
Examples from the dialogue:
那儿有很多书。 — There are many books there.
这儿还有很多书。 — Here, there are still many books.
The classifier 些 and its combinations
些 means “some” and is never used alone. It combines with other words to form different expressions:
一些 — some, a few (indefinite quantity)
这些 — these (near plural)
那些 — those (far plural)
哪些 — which ones? (interrogative plural)
有些 — some, a few (among a set)
Examples:
那些书不是我的。 — Those books aren’t mine.
还有一些是哥哥的。 — There are still some that belong to my brother.
有些东西是我的。 — Some things are mine.
Note: Unlike 这本 or 那件, combinations with 些 are used directly before the noun without another classifier: 这些书 (not 这些本书).
Classifiers 本 and 件
Reminder: In Chinese, you cannot place a number or demonstrative directly before a noun. A classifier (also called a “measure word”) must always be inserted.
In this section, we learn two new classifiers:
本 — for books, notebooks, magazines (anything bound):
这本书 — this book
这一本是我的。 — This one is mine.
件 — for clothing (especially upper body), items, events:
那几件衣服都是我的。 — Those few pieces of clothing are all mine.
你认不认识这件衣服？ — Do you recognize this piece of clothing?
Remember that the general classifier 个 , which we’ve already learned, can replace most classifiers in everyday spoken language. However, it’s best to use the specific classifier when known.
The adverb 还 : “still, also”
还 is an adverb meaning “still,” “also,” or “in addition.” Like all adverbs in Chinese, it comes before the verb.
Examples:
这儿还有很多书。 — Here, there are still many books.
还有一些是哥哥的。 — There are also some that belong to my brother.
Be careful not to confuse it with 也 (“also”): 也 repeats an identical action for a different subject (“me too”), while 还 adds an additional element (“in addition, there is…”).
几 for “a few”
We’ve seen that 几 is used to ask “how many?” (for small numbers). However, in affirmative sentences, 几 can also mean “a few” (an unspecified small number).
Example:
那几件衣服都是我的。 — Those few pieces of clothing are all mine.
Note: 几 is always followed by a classifier: 几件, 几本, 几个, etc.
The alternative question form for bisyllabic verbs
We’ve already seen the alternative question form (the “V not V” question) with monosyllabic verbs like 是不是 . But how do we do it with a two-syllable verb?
For a bisyllabic verb like 认识 (to know/recognize), only the first syllable is repeated:
认不认识
Example from the dialogue:
你认不认识这件衣服？ — Do you recognize this piece of clothing?
Other examples with bisyllabic verbs we’ve learned:
你喜不喜欢？ — Do you like it?
你高不高兴？ — Are you happy?
The use of 有的
有的 means “some” or “a few” and is used to refer to a part of a whole. It is often used in contrast with another 有的 or with another expression to show diversity:
有的是我的，还有一些是哥哥的。
Some are mine, and others are my brother’s.
有的 can act as the subject of a sentence. Note the difference with 有些 : the latter is followed by a noun (有些东西 “some things”), while 有的 is used alone as a pronoun (有的是我的 “some are mine”).
有的 = some (pronoun, used alone)
有些 + noun = some + noun (determiner)
Example: 有些东西是我的。 Some things are mine.
