How to Write 此 (cǐ) — Meaning “This”

Imagine someone saying 'Stop (止) right there and look at this (此) spoon (匕)!' The visual of a spoon helping you stop and focus on something can link the shape to the meaning of 'this'. This mnemonic uses the two parts to create a funny mental picture.

Write the left part 止 first with 4 strokes: vertical, horizontal, vertical, horizontal. Then add the right part 匕 with 2 strokes: a left-falling stroke and a hook. A common mistake is making the left part too wide or the right part too large, so keep them balanced and proportional.

止 (zhǐ, 'stop') is just the left half of 此 without the right 匕, so it looks incomplete. 正 (zhèng, 'correct/upright') has a horizontal line on top of 止, while 此 has the extra right component 匕. In meaning, 此 specifically means 'this', not 'stop' or 'correct'.

此 is a formal demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this', often used in written or official language instead of 这. It appears in common words like 因此 (yīn cǐ, 'therefore') and 此外 (cǐ wài, 'besides'). Culturally, 此 carries a classical tone and is frequently found in idioms and historical texts.

Common words containing 此 include: 此外 (cǐ wài) — In addition / Besides; 因此 (yīn cǐ) — Therefore / Consequently; 此时 (cǐ shí) — At this time.