那

Learning Chinese: How to Use the Chinese Word "那 (nà)"

Chinese Characters: 那
Pinyin: nà
Pronunciation: nā
English Translation: That

Usage:

"那 (nà)" is a versatile Chinese word that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used as a demonstrative pronoun, an interrogative pronoun, or an adjective.

As a Demonstrative Pronoun:

"那 (nà)" is used to refer to something specific that is distant from the speaker. It is similar to the English word "that" when used in the following way:

Example:

• Chinese: 那本书是我的。
• Pinyin: Nà běn shū shì wǒ de.
• English: That book is mine.

As an Interrogative Pronoun:

"那 (nà)" can also be used to ask questions. In this usage, it is similar to the English word "which" or "what."

Example:

• Chinese: 那是什么？
• Pinyin: Nà shì shénme？
• English: What is that?

As an Adjective:

"那 (nà)" can be used as an adjective to modify nouns. In this usage, it means "that" or "those."

Example:

• Chinese: 那是我的朋友。
• Pinyin: Nà shì wǒ de péngyou.
• English: That is my friend.

Additional Notes:

• "那 (nà)" can also be used to indicate a pause or hesitation in speech.
• When used in a question, "那 (nà)" is often followed by the particle "呢 (ne)."
• "那 (nà)" is a commonly used word in Chinese, so it is important to practice using it in different contexts.

Tips for Learning:

• Pay attention to the different ways that "那 (nà)" is used in context.
• Practice using "那 (nà)" in your own speech and writing.
• Listen to native Chinese speakers using "那 (nà)" to get a sense of how it is used in natural conversation.