nàxiē: 那些 - Those, Them

• Keywords: naxie, 那些, nàxiē, those in Chinese, how to say those in Mandarin, Chinese demonstrative pronouns, naxie vs zhexie, nà vs nàxiē, Chinese grammar, HSK 1
• Summary: Learn how to use 那些 (nàxiē) in Chinese, the essential word for 'those'. This comprehensive guide breaks down its meaning, grammar, and provides practical example sentences to help you distinguish it from similar terms like 这 (zhè) and 这些 (zhèxiē). Master its use in everyday conversation to point out multiple items at a distance.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): nàxiē
• Part of Speech: Demonstrative Pronoun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: “Those”; refers to multiple items or people that are relatively far from the speaker.
• In a Nutshell: 那些 (nàxiē) is the plural version of “that” (那, nà). Think of it as the direct equivalent of the English word “those.” You use it to point out two or more things that are not close to you, whether physically (e.g., “those books on the far shelf”) or conceptually (e.g., “those ideas from last week”).

• 那 (nà): That. This character indicates something at a distance from the speaker. It points away from “here” and towards “there.”
• 些 (xiē): Some, a few, several. This character signifies a plural or indefinite quantity, turning a singular concept into a plural one.
• When combined, 那些 (nàxiē) literally translates to “that-several,” logically creating the meaning “those.”

While 那些 (nàxiē) doesn't carry deep cultural baggage, its usage highlights a fundamental aspect of communication: spatial deixis, or pointing with words. The distinction between what is close (这, zhè / 这些, zhèxiē) and what is far (那, nà / 那些, nàxiē) is one of the first and most important concepts a learner must grasp in Chinese. In English, the “this/that” and “these/those” distinction is nearly identical. This makes 那些 a relatively easy concept for English speakers to understand. However, the frequency and flexibility of its use in Chinese might be greater. For instance, it can refer not just to physical objects but also to abstract concepts, periods of time, or groups of people with a simple, direct structure. Mastering this distinction is a key step to sounding natural and describing the world around you clearly in Chinese.

那些 (nàxiē) is an extremely common word used in all levels of formality, from casual conversation to formal writing.

• Pointing out Objects: The most common use is to identify multiple objects at a distance. For example, when shopping, you might say: “那些苹果看起来很甜 (Nàxiē píngguǒ kànqǐlái hěn tián)” - “Those apples look very sweet.”
• Referring to People: It is used to refer to a group of people who are not nearby. “那些人是谁？(Nàxiē rén shì shéi?)” - “Who are those people?”
• Discussing Abstract Things: It can refer to non-physical things like ideas, problems, or memories. “那些问题我们明天再讨论 (Nàxiē wèntí wǒmen míngtiān zài tǎolùn)” - “We'll discuss those problems again tomorrow.”
• Standalone Pronoun: When the context is clear, 那些 can be used by itself, just like “those” in English. For example: “你要哪些？(Nǐ yào nǎxiē?)” - “Which ones do you want?” “我要那些 (Wǒ yào nàxiē)” - “I want those.”

• Example 1:
  • 那些书都是我的。
  • Pinyin: Nàxiē shū dōu shì wǒ de.
  • English: All of those books are mine.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 那些 modifying a noun (书, shū). It clearly indicates multiple books at a distance.
• Example 2:
  • 我不喜欢那些电影，太无聊了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān nàxiē diànyǐng, tài wúliáo le.
  • English: I don't like those movies; they're too boring.
  • Analysis: Here, 那些 refers to a specific set of movies previously mentioned or understood from context. It can refer to things that aren't physically present.
• Example 3:
  • 你还记得我们一起度过的那些日子吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ hái jìdé wǒmen yīqǐ dùguò de nàxiē rìzi ma?
  • English: Do you still remember those days we spent together?
  • Analysis: This shows 那些 used to refer to a period of time in the past, demonstrating its use for abstract concepts.
• Example 4:
  • 那些穿红色衣服的人是我们的队友。
  • Pinyin: Nàxiē chuān hóngsè yīfú de rén shì wǒmen de duìyǒu.
  • English: Those people wearing red clothes are our teammates.
  • Analysis: 那些 is used to identify a specific group of people based on a description.
• Example 5:
  • 请把那些盘子拿过来。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ nàxiē pánzi ná guòlái.
  • English: Please bring those plates over.
  • Analysis: A common command or request. Note that “over here” is implied by “拿过来” (ná guòlái), while 那些 indicates the plates start “over there.”
• Example 6:
  • 我觉得那些想法不太现实。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juédé nàxiē xiǎngfǎ bù tài xiànshí.
  • English: I think those ideas are not very realistic.
  • Analysis: Another example of using 那些 to refer to intangible concepts like ideas or suggestions.
• Example 7:
  • 桌子上的这些我都不要，我要那些。
  • Pinyin: Zhuōzi shàng de zhèxiē wǒ dōu bùyào, wǒ yào nàxiē.
  • English: I don't want any of these on the table; I want those.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly contrasts 这些 (zhèxiē - these) and 那些 (nàxiē - those). Here, 那些 is used as a standalone pronoun.
• Example 8:
  • 那些是什么声音？
  • Pinyin: Nàxiē shì shénme shēngyīn?
  • English: What are those sounds?
  • Analysis: Used in a question to inquire about multiple sounds coming from a distance.
• Example 9:
  • 那些年，我们都还很年轻。
  • Pinyin: Nàxiē nián, wǒmen dōu hái hěn niánqīng.
  • English: In those years, we were all still very young.
  • Analysis: A common, slightly nostalgic phrase used to refer to a past era. “Those years” functions as a time phrase.
• Example 10:
  • 别担心那些小事。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn nàxiē xiǎoshì.
  • English: Don't worry about those little things.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates 那些 used to dismiss or downplay the importance of multiple minor issues.

• 那些 (nàxiē) vs. 这些 (zhèxiē): This is the most critical distinction. 那些 (nàxiē) is for things that are far from you (“those”), while 这些 (zhèxiē) is for things that are near you (“these”). Using one when you mean the other is a very common beginner mistake.
  • Correct: 我要买这些苹果 (Wǒ yào mǎi zhèxiē píngguǒ) - I want to buy these apples (the ones right here).
  • Incorrect: 我要买那些苹果 (Wǒ yào mǎi nàxiē píngguǒ) - If the apples are right in front of you.
• 那些 (nàxiē) vs. 那 (nà): This is the plural vs. singular distinction. Use 那些 for two or more items, and 那 (nà) for a single item.
  • Correct: 那本书 (nà běn shū) - That book (singular).
  • Correct: 那些书 (nàxiē shū) - Those books (plural).
  • Incorrect: 那书是我的。 (If referring to multiple books).
• Using Measure Words: While 那 (nà) almost always requires a measure word (e.g., 那个, 那本, 那张), 那些 (nàxiē) often doesn't. The character 些 (xiē) can function like a general measure word for a plural amount. You can add a measure word for emphasis or clarity (e.g., 那些个人), but it's often omitted.
  • Natural: 那些人 (nàxiē rén) - those people.
  • Also Correct (but less common): 那些个人 (nàxiē ge rén) - those people.

• 这些 (zhèxiē) - The direct antonym of 那些, meaning “these” (referring to multiple items close to the speaker).
• 那 (nà) - The singular form, meaning “that.”
• 这 (zhè) - The singular form of 这些, meaning “this.”
• 哪些 (nǎxiē) - The question-word counterpart, meaning “which ones?” (plural).
• 一些 (yīxiē) - Means “some” or “a few.” It indicates an indefinite quantity without pointing to a specific location (near or far).
• 那里 / 那儿 (nàlǐ / nàr) - The locational counterpart, meaning “there” or “that place.”
• 那个 (nàge) - A very common phrase meaning “that one.” It is the singular version with the most common measure word, 个 (ge).
• 然后 (ránhòu) - “Then” or “afterwards.” While not a demonstrative, it shares the character 那, which can sometimes confuse beginners.
• 那么 (nàme) - Means “so,” “in that case,” or “that” (as in “that tall”). It's a logical connector, not a pointer.