Page 31 - Mandarin Circle

2. nà

那
that

Nà shì bù kěnéng de。

那 是 不 可 能 的。

That is impossible.

2.3.2 This & That + Measure Word + Noun

这 (zhè), meaning “this,” and 那 (nà), meaning “that,” can also be used before nouns
to demonstrate the subject that one is talking about. However, in Chinese, 这 and 那

can’t be put directly before nouns. Instead, we need the help of 量词 (liàngcí),
meaning “measure words”, or otherwise known as counters or classifiers.

The most universal measure word is 个 (gè). It’s a safe word to use for beginners.
Here are some examples:

● In Chinese: 这个女孩很漂亮。
Pinyin: Zhè gè nǚhái hěn piàoliang.
In English: “This girl is very pretty.”

●
In Chinese: 这个网站很有用。

Pinyin: Zhè gè wǎngzhàn hěn yǒuyòng.
In English: “This website is very useful.”
●
In Chinese: 我爸去过那个国家。

Pinyin: Wǒ bà qù guo nàgè guójiā.
In English: “My dad has been to that country.”
●
In Chinese: 请给我看一下那个钱包。

Pinyin: Qǐng gěi wǒ kàn yíxià nà gè qiánbāo.
In English: “Please let me take a look at that wallet.”

Once you’re more confident with your Chinese, use 这 or 那 with specific measure

words that go with specific nouns. For example:

20