====== zhèxiē: 这些 - These ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** zhexie, 这些, how to use zhexie, Chinese for these, what does zhexie mean, Chinese demonstrative pronouns, Chinese plural, zhe vs zhexie, naxie, HSK 1 grammar
  * **Summary:** Learn how to use "这些" (zhèxiē), the essential Chinese word for "these." This page breaks down its meaning, structure, and practical use in daily conversation. As a fundamental demonstrative pronoun, "这些" is used to point to multiple people or objects near the speaker. Understanding the difference between the singular "这" (zhè) and the plural "这些" (zhèxiē) is a crucial step for any beginner learning to navigate real-world situations in China, from ordering food to shopping at a market.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhèxiē
  * **Part of Speech:** Demonstrative Pronoun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 1
  * **Concise Definition:** These; these ones.
  * **In a Nutshell:** "这些" is the direct equivalent of the English word "these." It's a combination of "这" (zhè), meaning "this," and "些" (xiē), a particle that indicates a plural amount. You use it to point out or refer to more than one thing that is physically or conceptually close to you.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **这 (zhè):** This character means "this." It's composed of the radical `辶` (chuò), which is associated with walking or movement, and `文` (wén), meaning language or culture. You can think of it as pointing to something right here on your path.
  * **些 (xiē):** This character means "some," "a few," or "a bit." It functions as a plural marker when attached to demonstratives like "这" (this) and "那" (that). It's made of `此` (cǐ - "this/here") and `二` (èr - "two"), hinting at the idea of "more than one of this."
  * When combined, **这些 (zhèxiē)** literally means "this-plural-amount," which is a perfect conceptual match for the English word "these."
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
While "这些" itself doesn't carry deep philosophical meaning, its usage highlights a key feature of the Chinese language: context and efficiency. Unlike English, which uses an "-s" suffix for most plurals, Mandarin relies on context and specific counters or markers like "些" to indicate plurality.
In daily life, physically pointing while using "这些" (these) or "那些" (nàxiē - those) is extremely common and perfectly normal. This direct, demonstrative way of communicating is highly efficient in a high-context culture. For example, at a bustling market, instead of saying "I would like the green apples on the left," a speaker can simply point and say, "**这些**苹果" (zhèxiē píngguǒ - "these apples"), and the meaning is instantly clear. This contrasts with some Western contexts where pointing can occasionally be seen as less polite. In China, it's just a practical part of everyday communication.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
"这些" is a high-frequency word used in virtually all informal and formal situations. Its structure is straightforward and versatile.
  * **Basic Structure: 这些 + Noun**
    * This is the most common usage. It directly modifies a noun to indicate "these [nouns]".
    * Example: **这些**书 (zhèxiē shū) - these books.
    * Example: **这些**人 (zhèxiē rén) - these people.
  * **Structure with Measure Words: 这些 + Measure Word + Noun**
    * When a noun requires a specific measure word (other than the general-purpose `个`), the measure word is included.
    * Example: **这些**件衣服 (zhèxiē jiàn yīfu) - these pieces of clothing. (`件` is the measure word for clothes).
    * Example: **这些**辆车 (zhèxiē liàng chē) - these vehicles. (`辆` is the measure word for vehicles).
  * **Used Alone (As a Pronoun)**
    * When the noun is understood from the context, "这些" can stand on its own, just like "these" in English.
    * Example: (Looking at a table of food) "**这些**都很好吃。" (zhèxiē dōu hěn hǎochī) - "These are all delicious."
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * **这些**苹果多少钱？
    * Pinyin: **Zhèxiē** píngguǒ duōshǎo qián?
    * English: How much are these apples?
    * Analysis: A classic and essential sentence for shopping. "这些" specifies the particular group of apples you are asking about.
  * **Example 2:**
    * **这些**是我的朋友。
    * Pinyin: **Zhèxiē** shì wǒ de péngyǒu.
    * English: These are my friends.
    * Analysis: Used to introduce a group of people who are present with you.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我不喜欢**这些**电影。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān **zhèxiē** diànyǐng.
    * English: I don't like these movies.
    * Analysis: Used to express an opinion about a specific set of items, in this case, movies you may have just watched or discussed.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 请把**这些**杯子洗干净。
    * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ **zhèxiē** bēizi xǐ gānjìng.
    * English: Please wash these cups.
    * Analysis: A common command or request. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used here to emphasize the object ("these cups") and what is being done to it.
  * **Example 5:**
    * **这些**问题有点儿复杂。
    * Pinyin: **Zhèxiē** wèntí yǒudiǎnr fùzá.
    * English: These problems are a bit complicated.
    * Analysis: "这些" can be used for abstract concepts like problems, ideas, or reasons, not just physical objects.
  * **Example 6:**
    * **这些**天我都很忙。
    * Pinyin: **Zhèxiē** tiān wǒ dōu hěn máng.
    * English: I've been very busy these (past few) days.
    * Analysis: A very common time-related phrase. "这些天" refers to the recent period of a few days up to the present.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 你看，**这些**照片是我们去年拍的。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ kàn, **zhèxiē** zhàopiàn shì wǒmen qùnián pāi de.
    * English: Look, these photos are the ones we took last year.
    * Analysis: Perfect for showing something to someone. "这些" clearly indicates the specific photos you are presenting.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 桌子上的**这些**，你都可以吃。
    * Pinyin: Zhuōzi shàng de **zhèxiē**, nǐ dōu kěyǐ chī.
    * English: You can eat all of these on the table.
    * Analysis: Here, "这些" is used alone as a pronoun, referring to the items on the table which are understood from context.
  * **Example 9:**
    * **这些**汉字怎么写？
    * Pinyin: **Zhèxiē** hànzì zěnme xiě?
    * English: How do you write these Chinese characters?
    * Analysis: A crucial sentence for learners pointing to characters in a textbook or on a sign.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 除了**这些**，你还需要别的吗？
    * Pinyin: Chúle **zhèxiē**, nǐ hái xūyào biéde ma?
    * English: Besides these, do you need anything else?
    * Analysis: Shows how "这些" can be used in more complex sentences. It refers to a collection of items already discussed or selected.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`这些` (zhèxiē) vs. `这个` (zhège):** This is the most common mistake for beginners. `这些` is PLURAL ("these"), while `这个` is SINGULAR ("this one"). If you are pointing to a pile of three books, you must use `这些`.
    * **Correct:** 我要**这些**书。(Wǒ yào **zhèxiē** shū.) - I want these books.
    * **Incorrect:** 我要**这个**书。(Wǒ yào **zhège** shū.) - //Grammatically awkward. Only correct if pointing at one book.//
  * **`这些` (zhèxiē) vs. `那些` (nàxiē):** The difference is proximity, just like "these" vs. "those" in English.
    * **`这些` (zhèxiē):** For things near you (within reach).
    * **`那些` (nàxiē):** For things farther away from you.
  * **Using "些" without "这" or "那":** The character `些 (xiē)` cannot be used on its own to mean "these." It must be attached to a demonstrative like `这` (this), `那` (that), or a number like `一` (one) to form `一些` (yīxiē - some).
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[naxie|那些]] (nàxiē) - The direct opposite of `这些`; it means "those" and refers to multiple items farther away from the speaker.
  * [[zhege|这个]] (zhège) - The singular form of `这些`; it means "this" or "this one."
  * [[nage|那个]] (nàge) - The singular form of `那些`; it means "that" or "that one."
  * [[yixie|一些]] (yīxiē) - Means "some" or "a few." It's an indefinite pronoun, used when you're not pointing to a specific group. `这些` is definite ("these specific ones"), while `一些` is indefinite ("some of them").
  * [[jige|几个]] (jǐ ge) - Means "several" or "a few." Often implies a smaller number than `一些`. Also used in questions to ask "how many?"
  * [[zher|这儿]] (zhèr) / [[zheli|这里]] (zhèlǐ) - Means "here." The locational counterpart to the object-focused `这些`.
  * [[suoyou|所有]] (suǒyǒu) - Means "all." It is an all-encompassing term, stronger and more absolute than `这些`.
  * [[zhe|这]] (zhè) - The root character for "this," used as a prefix for many related terms.