How to Write 这 (zhè) — Meaning “this”

Imagine you are walking (辶) toward a document (文) and saying, 'This is the paper I need!' The walking radical reminds you that 这 refers to something close by, and the writing part helps you picture a real object.

Write the left radical 辶 first: dot, then a horizontal fold, then a final downward stroke. Then add 文 on the upper right, starting with a dot, then a horizontal line, then two crossing strokes. A common mistake is making the radical too small or tilting 文 too far to one side – keep the character balanced.

这 has 文 (writing) on the upper right, while 边 has 力 (power) on the right and means 'side' or 'edge'. 巡 has three short strokes (巛) on top of the radical and means 'to patrol'. Focus on the right part to quickly tell them apart.

这 means 'this' and is used before nouns, like 这个人 (this person) or 这本书 (this book), or alone as 这是 (this is). It's one of the first characters learners meet, as it appears in everyday conversation to point out people, objects, or ideas.

Common words containing 这 include: 这个 (zhè ge) — this; this one; 这里 (zhè lǐ) — Here.; 这样 (zhè yàng) — Like this / In this way.