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.
“这些” is a high-frequency word used in virtually all informal and formal situations. Its structure is straightforward and versatile.