pronoun / determiner HSK 1
Traditional 那個
that · that one
Meaning
那个 is one of the most fundamental demonstrative pronouns in Mandarin, meaning 'that' or 'that one.' It points to something relatively far from the speaker, contrasting with 这个 (this). It can function as a pronoun standing alone or as a determiner modifying a noun.
Usage
Native speakers use 那个 constantly in everyday speech to point out distant objects, people, or abstract concepts. In casual conversation, it's often pronounced 'nèi ge' and frequently serves as a filler word (similar to 'um' or 'uh' in English) when speakers are thinking. When used as a filler, the tone often becomes neutral.
Examples
- 01那个是我的书。.That one is my book.
- 02你看见那个穿红衣服的女孩了吗？?Did you see that girl wearing red clothes?
Characters
Common collocations
- 那个人that person
- 那个时候at that time
- 就是那个it's that one
Antonyms
Origin
那个 combines the distal demonstrative 那 with the versatile measure word 个, creating a complete demonstrative phrase that can stand alone or modify nouns.