Language/Mandarin-chinese/Grammar/Demonstrative-Pronouns-and-Interrogative-Pronouns

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Mandarin Chinese Grammar → Nouns and Pronouns → Demonstrative Pronouns and Interrogative Pronouns

As a Mandarin Chinese teacher, I have seen many students struggle with pronouns. Demonstrative and interrogative pronouns are essential parts of any language, including Mandarin Chinese. In this lesson, we will explore these types of pronouns, how to use them, and examples of them in common sentences.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are words used to identify or point out something or someone. In Mandarin Chinese, there are three demonstrative pronouns:

  • This: 这 (zhè)
  • That: 那 (nà)
  • That one over there: 那边 (nà biān)

Here are some examples:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English
这本书 zhè běn shū This book
那个人 nà gè rén That person
那边的小狗 nà biān de xiǎo gǒu That dog over there

In Mandarin Chinese, the demonstrative pronoun always comes before the noun. For example, instead of saying "This book," we would say "This (zhè) book (shū)": 这本书 (zhè běn shū).

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to introduce a question. There are five interrogative pronouns in Mandarin Chinese:

  • What: 什么 (shén me)
  • Who: 谁 (shuí)
  • Where: 哪里 (nǎ li)
  • When: 什么时候 (shén me shí hòu)
  • Why: 为什么 (wèi shén me)

Here are some examples:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English
你叫什么名字？ nǐ jiào shén me míng zì? What is your name?
你是谁？ nǐ shì shuí? Who are you?
他在哪里？ tā zài nǎ lǐ? Where is he?
今天是什么时候？ jīn tiān shì shén me shí hòu? What day is it today?
为什么你不喜欢吃西瓜？ wèi shén me nǐ bù xǐ huān chī xī guā? Why don't you like to eat watermelon?

In Mandarin Chinese, the interrogative pronoun often comes at the beginning of the sentence. For example, instead of saying "Where is he?" we would say "He is where?": 他在哪里？(tā zài nǎ lǐ?).

Demo-Interrogative Pronouns

In Mandarin Chinese, there are two words that can act as both demonstrative and interrogative pronouns:

  • Which one: 哪个 (nǎ gè)
  • Whose: 谁的 (shuí de)

Here are some examples:

Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation English
哪个是你喜欢的书？ nǎ gè shì nǐ xǐ huān de shū? Which one is your favorite book?
谁的手机在桌子上？ shuí de shǒu jī zài zhuō zi shàng? Whose phone is on the table?

These pronouns can also come before or after the noun, depending on the context and emphasis.

As a Mandarin Chinese teacher, I recommend students practice using these pronouns in daily conversation. By practicing the correct usage of demonstrative and interrogative pronouns, students will be able to communicate more effectively and confidently in Mandarin Chinese.

Sources



Table of Contents - Mandarin Chinese Course - 0 to A1


Pinyin and Tones


Greetings and Basic Expressions


Sentence Structure and Word Order


Daily Life and Survival Expressions


Chinese Festivals and Traditions


Verbs and Verb Usage


Hobbies, Sports and Activities


China's Geography and Landmarks


Nouns and Pronouns


Professions and Personality Traits


Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts


Comparative and Superlative


Cities, Countries and Tourist Destinations


Modern China and Current Events


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