Introduction
这么 (zhème) and 那么 (nàme) mean "this much" and "that much". They go in front of an adjective to mark a degree you can point at — 这么贵 (zhème guì) this expensive — or in front of a verb to mean "in this way": 这么做 (zhème zuò) — do it like this.
Overview
Structure: 这么 (zhème) / 那么 (nàme) + Adj. / Verb
| Pattern | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 这么 + Adj | 这么贵！(Zhème guì!) | That's so expensive! |
| 那么 + Adj | 那儿那么远。(Nàr nàme yuǎn.) | It's so far away. |
| 这么 + V | 你应该这么做。(Nǐ yīnggāi zhème zuò.) | You should do it like this. |
| 有 + B + 这么 + Adj | 他有我这么高。(Tā yǒu wǒ zhème gāo.) | He's as tall as I am. |
| 没有 + B + 那么 + Adj | 这儿没有北京那么冷。(Zhèr méiyǒu Běijīng nàme lěng.) | It isn't as cold here as in Beijing. |
这么 (zhème) is near, 那么 (nàme) is far — the same split as 这 (zhè) and 那 (nà):
- 这么贵 (zhème guì) — this expensive. The thing is in front of you, or you just mentioned it.
- 那么远 (nàme yuǎn) — that far. Something at a distance, or already known to you both.
- In a comparison, the near one goes with 有 (yǒu) and the far one with 没有 (méiyǒu) more often than not — 有我这么高 (yǒu wǒ zhème gāo)，没有北京那么冷 (méiyǒu Běijīng nàme lěng).
- In front of a verb the meaning shifts from degree to manner: 这么做 (zhème zuò) — do it this way.
Examples
这么贵，我不买了。
Zhème guì, wǒ bù mǎi le.
That expensive? I'll leave it.
今天怎么这么热？
Jīntiān zěnme zhème rè?
Why is it so hot today?
那儿那么远，我们坐车吧。
Nàr nàme yuǎn, wǒmen zuò chē ba.
It's that far — let's take the bus.
你应该这么做。
Nǐ yīnggāi zhème zuò.
This is how you should do it.
他有我这么高了。
Tā yǒu wǒ zhème gāo le.
He's grown as tall as me.
别那么说，他也很努力。
Bié nàme shuō, tā yě hěn nǔlì.
Don't say that — he works hard too.
Usage Notes
- 么 (me) is neutral tone: zhème, nàme. In fast speech you will also hear zème and nème.
- 这么 (zhème) and 那么 (nàme) mark a degree you are pointing at. For a plain description use 很 (hěn): 很贵 (hěn guì) — expensive; 这么贵 (zhème guì) — this expensive.
- 这样 (zhèyàng) and 那样 (nàyàng) mean the same for manner and can stand alone: 这样吧。(Zhèyàng ba.) — Let's do it this way. 这么 (zhème) always needs something after it.
- 怎么这么 (zěnme zhème) is the everyday "why so…": 怎么这么贵？(Zěnme zhème guì?)
- With a number, 这么 (zhème) is not used — say 这么多 (zhème duō) — this many — instead: 这么多人 (zhème duō rén).