此

• Pinyin: cǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 此 = 止 (stop, foot) + 匕 (spoon/person), originally indicating 'this spot where one stops'

Meaning

This; here. A formal or literary demonstrative pronoun equivalent to 这.

A classical Chinese word still widely used in modern formal and written contexts. Appears in many set phrases: 因此 (therefore), 从此 (from now on), 此外 (besides), 在此 (here), 此刻 (this moment), 由此可见 (from this we can see). Rarely used alone in casual speech but essential in written Chinese.

Examples

1. 因此，我们需要重新考虑这个计划。 Therefore, we need to reconsider this plan.
2. 从此以后，他每天坚持锻炼身体。 From then on, he exercised every day without fail.
3. 此外，还有几个问题需要讨论。 In addition, there are several more issues that need to be discussed.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, formal speech, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 因此我认为这个方案更合理。(Therefore, I think this plan is more reasonable.)
• 在此我想感谢所有帮助过我的人。(Here I would like to thank everyone who has helped me.)

Don't Say

• 口语中用此代替这，比如'此东西是我的' (Don't use 此 in place of 这 in casual speech — it sounds unnaturally literary; say 这个东西是我的)

Origin & History

An ancient demonstrative pronoun from Classical Chinese, originally meaning 'here' or 'this.' Its form has remained stable for thousands of years and continues to be used in modern written Chinese and formal expressions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal