zhème: 这么 - So, Such, This way, Like this

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• Summary: Learn how to use “这么” (zhème), a fundamental Chinese word meaning “so,” “such,” or “like this.” This guide explains its core function as a demonstrative adverb and pronoun, used to describe the degree or manner of something close to the speaker's experience or context. Master the difference between `这么` (zhème) and its counterpart `那么` (nàme) with clear examples, cultural insights, and practical usage tips for beginners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhème
• Part of Speech: Adverb, Pronoun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: It means “so,” “such,” “this way,” or “like this,” used to indicate a high degree or a specific manner.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `这么` as a verbal pointing finger. It connects an adjective or a verb to a specific context that is immediate, visible, or just mentioned. It's like saying “this much,” “to this extent,” or “in this manner.” It adds a subjective, often slightly surprised or emphasized tone, making your speech more vivid and personal.

• 这 (zhè): This is one of the most common characters in Chinese, meaning “this” or “here.” It's a demonstrative pronoun that points to something close to the speaker.
• 么 (me): This is a particle or suffix that often appears in interrogative or demonstrative words like `什么 (shénme - what)` and `怎么 (zěnme - how)`. It doesn't have a strong independent meaning but helps form the function of the word.

Together, `这` (this) and `么` (suffix) create `这么`, which literally translates to “this-ly” or “of this kind,” effectively meaning “so” or “like this.”

While `这么` is a functional grammar word, its frequent use highlights a feature of Chinese communication: grounding statements in shared, immediate context. Using `这么` is more personal and subjective than using a neutral adverb like `很 (hěn - very)`. For example, saying `天气很热 (tiānqì hěn rè)` is a simple statement: “The weather is very hot.” But saying `天气这么热! (tiānqì zhème rè!)` conveys a personal experience: “The weather is *so* hot!” It implies the speaker is feeling the heat right now and is perhaps surprised or complaining about it. Compared to English, where “so” can be used more abstractly, `这么` has a stronger connection to the “here and now.” It's less about a philosophical ideal and more about a tangible reality. This preference for concrete, situational description is a subtle but important aspect of everyday Chinese conversation. It makes the language feel more situational and less absolute.

`这么` is extremely common in daily, informal conversation. It's used in several key structures:

This is the most common usage, where `这么` precedes an adjective to show a high degree.

• Structure: `这么 + Adjective`
• Example: `这个苹果这么甜！` (This apple is so sweet!)

Here, `这么` precedes a verb to demonstrate how an action is or should be done.

• Structure: `这么 + Verb`
• Example: `你应该这么写。` (You should write it like this.)

It's often paired with question words like `为什么 (wèishénme)` or `怎么 (zěnme)` to ask for the reason behind an extreme or unexpected situation.

• Structure: `为什么/怎么 + 这么 + Adj/Verb?`
• Example: `为什么你这么晚才回家？` (Why did you come home so late?)

`这么` can be used with `一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)` to emphasize a very small quantity.

• Structure: `这么 + 一点儿 + Noun`
• Example: `为了这么一点儿事生气，不值得。` (It's not worth getting angry over such a small thing.)

• Example 1:
  • 我从来没吃过这么好吃的东西。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ cónglái méi chīguò zhème hǎochī de dōngxi.
  • English: I've never eaten anything so delicious.
  • Analysis: Here, `这么` is used to emphasize the high degree of “deliciousness.” It's a classic example of the `这么 + Adjective` structure, expressing a strong personal feeling.
• Example 2:
  • 你看，你应该这么做。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn, nǐ yīnggāi zhème zuò.
  • English: Look, you should do it like this.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the `这么 + Verb` structure. The speaker is likely demonstrating an action while speaking. `这么` connects the instruction directly to the physical demonstration.
• Example 3:
  • 天气怎么突然变得这么冷？
  • Pinyin: Tiānqì zěnme tūrán biànde zhème lěng?
  • English: How did the weather suddenly get so cold?
  • Analysis: This question expresses surprise at the degree of coldness. `怎么` asks “how,” and `这么` emphasizes the unexpected intensity.
• Example 4:
  • 这么简单的问题，你都不会？
  • Pinyin: Zhème jiǎndān de wèntí, nǐ dōu bú huì?
  • English: You don't even know the answer to such a simple question?
  • Analysis: `这么` modifies the entire noun phrase “simple question” (`简单的问题`). It carries a tone of disbelief or slight judgment.
• Example 5:
  • 你就这么走了吗？一句话也不说？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jiù zhème zǒu le ma? Yí jù huà yě bù shuō?
  • English: You're just leaving like that? Without saying a word?
  • Analysis: This shows how `这么` can carry emotional weight. “Leaving like this” implies the manner of leaving is abrupt, unexpected, or hurtful.
• Example 6:
  • 我没想到他住在这么远的地方。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ méi xiǎngdào tā zhù zài zhème yuǎn de dìfang.
  • English: I didn't expect him to live in such a faraway place.
  • Analysis: `这么` is used here to describe the speaker's subjective feeling about the distance—it feels “this far” to them, which is a lot.
• Example 7:
  • 他这么一说，我就全明白了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhème yì shuō, wǒ jiù quán míngbai le.
  • English: Once he explained it like that, I understood everything completely.
  • Analysis: The structure `这么 + 一 + Verb` is a common pattern meaning “once [someone] did [the action] in this way.” It indicates that the manner of the action led to an immediate result.
• Example 8:
  • 这么晚了，我们该回家了。
  • Pinyin: Zhème wǎn le, wǒmen gāi huí jiā le.
  • English: It's so late, we should go home.
  • Analysis: A very common phrase used to mark time. It's a subjective observation about the lateness of the hour.
• Example 9:
  • 他很高，大概有这么高。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn gāo, dàgài yǒu zhème gāo.
  • English: He's very tall, probably about this tall.
  • Analysis: This is the most literal usage of `这么`. It would almost always be accompanied by a hand gesture indicating the height. It perfectly illustrates the “pointing” function of the word.
• Example 10:
  • 事情没有你想的那么复杂。
  • Pinyin: Shìqing méiyǒu nǐ xiǎng de nàme fùzá.
  • English: The matter is not as complicated as you think.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `那么` instead of `这么`. The analysis is key: it's `那么` because it refers to the complexity “that” you are thinking of—a concept in your mind, which is “distant” from the speaker's reality. This is a perfect lead-in to the next section.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing `这么 (zhème)` with `那么 (nàme)`. `这么 (zhème)` vs. `那么 (nàme)` The rule is simple but crucial:

• 这么 (zhème): “This way,” “so,” “this much.” Refers to things that are physically or conceptually close to the speaker. It relates to “这 (zhè) - this.”
• 那么 (nàme): “That way,” “so,” “that much.” Refers to things that are physically or conceptually far from the speaker. It relates to “那 (nà) - that.”

Examples of Correct Usage:

• Pointing to a cake in front of you: 这个蛋糕这么好吃！ (This cake is so delicious!)
• Talking about a cake you ate yesterday: 昨天的蛋糕没有这么好吃。 (Yesterday's cake wasn't *this* delicious.)
• Talking about a cake your friend is describing over the phone: 听起来那么好吃！ (It sounds *so* delicious!)

Common Mistake Example:

• Incorrect: 你看天上的月亮这么亮！ (Nǐ kàn tiān shàng de yuèliang zhème liàng!)
• Why it's wrong: The moon is physically far away. You are pointing “that way,” not “this way.”
• Correct: 你看天上的月亮那么亮！ (Nǐ kàn tiān shàng de yuèliang nàme liàng!)

`这么 (zhème)` vs. `很 (hěn)`

• `很 (hěn)` is a neutral intensifier meaning “very.” It's an objective statement of fact.
  • `他很高。` (Tā hěn gāo.) - He is very tall. (A fact)
• `这么 (zhème)` is a subjective, demonstrative intensifier meaning “so.” It implies surprise, emotion, or a comparison to a present standard.
  • `他怎么这么高！` (Tā zěnme zhème gāo!) - How is he *so* tall! (Expresses surprise at his height)

• name (nàme) - The direct counterpart to `这么`. It means “so,” “such,” or “that way,” and refers to something distant from the speaker in time, space, or concept.
• zheyang (这样) - A very close synonym meaning “this way” or “like this.” It's often interchangeable with `这么` when followed by a verb (e.g., `这么做` and `这样做` are nearly identical).
• nayang (那样) - The counterpart to `这样`, meaning “that way” or “like that.”
• zenme (怎么) - An interrogative word meaning “how?” or “why so…?” It often appears with `这么` or `那么` to ask for the reason behind a certain state (e.g., `怎么这么贵?`).
• duome (多么) - An adverb meaning “how…!” used in exclamatory sentences, often in written or more formal/poetic contexts. e.g., `这里的风景多么美啊!` (How beautiful the scenery here is!).
• zhe (这) - The root character meaning “this” or “here.” Understanding `这` is key to understanding `这么`.
• na (那) - The root character meaning “that” or “there.” Understanding `那` is key to understanding `那么`.
• hen (很) - The most common adverb for “very.” Comparing it to `这么` helps clarify the latter's subjective and demonstrative nuance.