About
The demonstrative pronoun 此, meaning 'this' or 'here', structurally combines 止 (a foot, suggesting stopping or stillness) with 匕 (a person). Its origin is unclear: one view sees a person stopping, yielding 'here'; another interprets a foot kicking a person, reflecting an early sense 'to kick' (now written 跐), with the pronoun use a later loan. In texts, it points to the immediate location, present moment, or matter under discussion, acting as the counterpart to 'that' or 'there'. It appears mainly in written language, formal vocabulary, and set phrases, not casual speech, and plays a critical role in structuring logical arguments and indicating temporal or physical proximity.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
此处很安静。
此人非常友善。
此次会议很重要。
因此他决定离开。
从此她不再唱歌。
此产品质量上乘。
对此观点我表示赞同。
在如此复杂的情况下,我们必须谨慎行事。
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