这 (zhè) - Meaning, Stroke Order & Audio

这

zhè[zhe4]Tone 4

this

HSK 1

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這

Multiple Readings (多音字):

Guru Deep Dive

English · this

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Topology:Semi-enclosure

Strokes:7

Writing Balance Rule: The walking base (⻌) must envelop the core component (文) securely without letting it sag below the lowest point of the trailing tail.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 這 by replacing the complex phonetic/semantic internal structure with 文 and standardizing the walking base.

1. Meaning

this

thesethe current (context or time)here

Pronoun / DeterminerNeutral#pronoun#determiner#demonstrative

Sample Usage

这是我的书。
Zhè shì wǒ de shū.
This is my book.
这个人是谁？
Zhè gè rén shì shuí?
Who is this person?

2. Sound

/[ʈʂê˥˩]/Tone: 51

这

zhèzhe4

`(51)

=zhè

Initial Consonant

Type: Unaspirated Retroflex

Sounds like: j/dr retroflex sound

UnaspiratedRetroflex

Airflow Tactile Test: No burst of air. Tongue curled up. Tissue stays still.

Tongue & Mouth Position: Tongue tip curled back near hard palate

Final Rhyme

Vowel Group: -e vowel group

Sounds like: uh sound in put or schwa

Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'uh'.

Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.

Tone

T4 (51)

5 → 1 (51)

4th Tone (High-Falling)

Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 4 starts high and plunges straight down, just like saying 'No!' or 'Stop!' in English.

Sandhi: No special sandhi rules apply to zhè.

👂

Listening trap: Confusing zhè (this) with zhě (者 - a suffix meaning 'one who' or 'person') or mistaking the retroflex initial zh- for the dental alveolar z-.

👋

Physical Tone Gesture: A sharp downward chop with your hand, mirroring the sudden downward pitch drop of Tone 4.

3. Writing

Topology: Semi-enclosure · Strokes: 7 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: The walking base (⻌) must envelop the core component (文) securely without letting it sag below the lowest point of the trailing tail.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 這 by replacing the complex phonetic/semantic internal structure with 文 and standardizing the walking base.

4. Components

Radical ⻌ · Walking Base Radical (Movement, motion, or relative position in space)

Semantic Clue (形旁): ⻌ (Indicates pointing to something or moving towards it spatially)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 文 (original sound: wén / zhè connection via historical phonetic drift)

The walking base (⻌) carries or points out the literary character or writing (文) right in front of you: 'This' one!

⻌ Walking base representing spatial pointing
文 Script or lines component

5. History

Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Originally combined a semantic indicator of movement or path with phonetic elements to designate proximity and pointing out objects.

Semantic Evolution: Shifted from ancient demonstrative indicators to the universal modern pronoun and determiner for 'this'.

In modern northern speech, it is frequently pronounced as zhèi when combined with counters.

6. Sinosphere

7. Memory

Vivid Mnemonic Story

You are WALKING (⻌) along, pointing at some WRITING (文) on the wall, shouting: 'THIS (zhè) is amazing!'

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

这

zhèthisBase character with walking base

遮

zhēto cover / to hideUses grass radical (艹) on top of a shelter component

Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)

那(nà)

Nà (that) starts with n- for distant things; zhè (this) starts with zh- for close things.

8. Mastery

Active Recall Challenge

[___] 是我的手机。

Clue: zhè

Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing zhè (this) with nà (that) due to their binary opposition, or incorrectly applying tone 3 instead of tone 4.

Memory Prompts

Recognition: What is the meaning and pronunciation of 这?

Production: How do you write the character for 'this' (zhè)?

这zhèthis

Speed:

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