Every Chinese character has a story
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这

这 (zhè) Chinese Character: this, here

7 strokes · HSK 1 · Radical 辶

Point close to yourself: 这 means “this.”

Practice 这 in the interactive lesson

Chinese character story: Pointing to What Is Near

这 (zhè) means “this” and points to something near the speaker. Use 这个 for “this one,” 这里 for “here,” and 这是 for “this is.” Chinese normally adds a measure word between 这 and a noun: 这本书, “this book.”

🧩 Word buildingSee what every part contributes

Chinese words often combine short meaning clues. Fixed expressions are clearly marked so you do not translate them too literally.

这个
这this个measure word=this one or this
这里
这this里place or inside=here

Chinese character origin and etymology

这 is documented as a character built from meaningful or phonetic parts. Its earlier written forms gradually became the regular-script shape used today.

In modern simplified Chinese, 这 is written with 7 strokes. This lesson separates documented shape history from the memory story so learners do not mistake a mnemonic for a historical claim. 这 contains 文 and 辶. These parts act like clues: a component may suggest a meaning category, a pronunciation, or simply preserve part of the character's historical structure.

Chinese character stroke order and structure

这 is written with 7 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.

  • 文 — central shape in the simplified character
  • 辶 — movement component

Common usage and sentence patterns

The examples below show 这 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.

这是我的书。 Zhè shì wǒ de shū. This is my book.
这个人是老师。 Zhè ge rén shì lǎoshī. This person is a teacher.
我住在这里。 Wǒ zhù zài zhèlǐ. I live here.

Learning tips for 这

Learn the reading as one unit: zhè, with the fourth tone: a sharp fall. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “this, here,” and write the 7 strokes from memory.

Because 这 contains reusable components, identify those clues before memorizing the whole shape. Compare it with 那 (nà, that — farther from the speaker); 个 (gè, general measure word); 里 (lǐ, inside — 这里 means “here”). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.

Quick review checklist

  • Can you recognize 这 without pinyin?
  • Can you say zhè with the correct tone and explain “this, here”?
  • Can you write all 7 strokes in order?
  • Can you use 这 in one short sentence?

Related characters

Continue learning Chinese characters

Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.

Sources and editorial note

HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.

Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.