HSK 2
指示代词：那么、那样、这么、这样
zhǐ shì dài cí ： nà me 、 nà yàng 、 zhè me 、 zhè yàng
Demonstrative pronouns: 那么、那样、这么、这样
Explanation
These are demonstrative pronouns (words used to point to a person, thing, degree, or manner) indicating DEGREE and MANNER: 这么 (zhème), 这样 (zhèyàng) for what is near; 那么 (nàme), 那样 (nàyàng) for what is far. 么 (me) usually goes with adjectives to indicate degree; 样 (yàng) usually goes with verbs to indicate the way of doing something.
这么 / 那么 + adjective (indicating degree) — e.g. 这么高 (zhème gāo, this tall); 这样 / 那样 + verb (indicating manner) — e.g. 这样写 (zhèyàng xiě, write like this).
Use 这么/这样 when talking about something near the speaker or just mentioned; use 那么/那样 when talking about something far away, or in comparison sentences (有她那么漂亮 - as pretty as her).
这么/那么 emphasize DEGREE (used with adjectives: 那么漂亮 - so pretty); 这样/那样 emphasize MANNER (used with verbs: 那样拿 - hold it that way).
Vietnamese learners often confuse 么 with 样, mistakenly saying 这样高 or 这么写. Remember: for degree (adjectives) use 么, for manner (verbs) use 样.
Examples
Is your girlfriend as pretty as her?
You can't hold chopsticks like that.
His older brother is as tall as you (this tall).
This Chinese character is written like this.
Practice
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The grammar point “指示代词：那么、那样、这么、这样” (Demonstrative pronouns: 那么、那样、这么、这样) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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