那些

• Pinyin: nà xiē
• Hanzi breakdown: 那 = demonstrative pronoun (that); 些 = 此 (this) + 二 (two), meaning some/several

Meaning

Those. The plural form of 那, referring to multiple things or people at a distance.

Used to point to a group of items or people that are away from the speaker. The counterpart of 这些 (these). Very common in everyday conversation when referring to multiple things.

Examples

1. 那些花很漂亮。 Those flowers are very pretty.
2. 那些人是我的同学。 Those people are my classmates.
3. 你看过那些书吗？ Have you read those books?

Usage Guide

Context: reference, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 那些苹果多少钱？(How much are those apples?)
• 那些日子真开心。(Those days were really happy.)

Don't Say

• 那些个人是谁？(Awkward — don't add 个 between 那些 and the noun; say 那些人是谁)

Origin & History

A compound of 那 (that) and 些 (some/several), creating the plural demonstrative 'those.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal