HSK 7
指示代词：该、另、兹
zhǐ shì dài cí ： gāi 、 lìng 、 zī
Demonstrative pronouns: 该、另、兹
Explanation
These are three demonstrative pronouns (words used to point to a person/thing/matter) with a formal flavor, mainly found in administrative written language (usage in books and documents, rarely used in speech). '该' (gāi) refers back to a person/thing mentioned earlier, equivalent to 'the said / the above-mentioned'; '另' (lìng) means 'another, a different one'; '兹' (zī) means 'now, hereby', with a strong classical/literary flavor (an archaic, formal usage still surviving in modern Chinese).
该 + noun (该企业 = the said enterprise); 另 + (一) + measure word / noun (另一回事 = another matter); 兹 + formal verb (兹定于 = it is hereby fixed for).
administrative documents, announcements, contracts, reports. '该' replaces 这/那 to sound objective and formal; '兹' is used almost exclusively to open official documents ('兹定于', '兹通知' = it is hereby announced).
'该' refers back to what has been mentioned, '另' introduces a new different one, '兹' points to the present time/matter of the document.
don't use '该/兹' in everyday speech (it sounds stiff and odd); in speech use 这/那; and '另' must be accompanied by a numeral/measure word (另一个), you cannot say '另回事' but must say '另一回事'.
Examples
The said enterprise was established last year, and its performance is outstanding.
This is another matter entirely; the two cannot be lumped together.
It is hereby fixed to convene the meeting on the tenth of this month.
Practice
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Learn “指示代词：该、另、兹” effectively
The grammar point “指示代词：该、另、兹” (Demonstrative pronouns: 该、另、兹) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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