====== nàxiē: 那些 - Those, Them ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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").
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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."
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
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 Sentences =====
  * **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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **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.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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.