HSK 6
指示代词：本、此
zhǐ shì dài cí ： běn 、 cǐ
Demonstrative pronouns: 本 and 此
Explanation
本 (běn) and 此 (cǐ) are two demonstrative pronouns (words used to point to a person, thing, matter, or place already mentioned), similar to "this/here" in English but with a formal flavor, commonly found in formal/written usage (the way things are used in books and documents, rarely in speech).
本 (běn) + noun → refers to the very thing being talked about (oneself/one's own): 本人 (běn rén, I myself), 本市 (běn shì, this city). 此 (cǐ) + noun → "this matter/place": 此事 (cǐ shì, this matter), 此处 (cǐ chù, this place).
used in documents, contracts, notices, and formal speech. 本 leans toward the meaning "oneself / belonging to the place or organization being spoken of"; 此 leans toward the meaning "the thing/matter/place just mentioned".
本 is usually attached to the person and organization one belongs to (本人 běn rén, 本公司 běn gōng sī our company); 此 is usually attached to matters and abstract locations (此事 cǐ shì, 此处 cǐ chù). In everyday conversation people say 这 (zhè) instead of 此.
Vietnamese learners often drop 本/此 into everyday conversational sentences, which sounds very stiff; for example saying "此处 is very beautiful" instead of 这里 (zhè lǐ) when chatting. 本/此 should only be used in formal contexts.
Examples
this city (běn shì), I myself (běn rén), this matter (cǐ shì), this place (cǐ chù)
Learn “指示代词：本、此” effectively
The grammar point “指示代词：本、此” (Demonstrative pronouns: 本 and 此) is one of the key structures at HSK 6. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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