Demonstratives point out "which one." Use this and that for singular:
- this(this): Close to the speaker.
- that(that): Far from the speaker.
这This 是is 我的my 手机phone.
This is my phone. (Close)
那That 是is 你的your 车car.
That is your car. (Far)
this, that, these, those
-
4 this, that, these, those
4.1
this and that
4.2
these and those
Use these and those for plural:
- these(these): Close. those(those): Far.
这些These 是are 我的my 书books.
These are my books.
那些Those 是are 她的her 朋友friends.
Those are her friends.
Contrastive Memory:
- Near → this (singular) / these (plural).
- Far → that (singular) / those (plural).
Note: These / those are followed by plural nouns: these books, not ~~these book~~.
Common Errors
- ❌ ~~these book~~ → ✓ these books — Plural nouns must follow these / those.
- ❌ ~~This books are mine.~~ → ✓ These books are mine. — If the noun is plural, the demonstrative must also be plural.
- ❌ When introducing yourself on the phone, say ~~I am Tom.~~ → ✓ This is Tom. — In English, introduce yourself on the phone using this is.
- Remember pairs: Near this / these are often used with here; far that / those are often used with there.