呢

This

Level 1Sounds Like ne1

Use 呢 (ni1) to say 'this'. Unlike English, you usually cannot attach it directly to a noun; include a classifier (measure word) in between.

How It Works

呢 (ni1) is the fundamental proximal demonstrative in spoken Cantonese.

1. The Classifier Requirement
In English, we say 'this book'. In Cantonese, you usually need to use a classifier: 呢本書 (ni1 bun2 syu1). If you are just pointing at something without naming the noun, you still need the specific classifier for that object. For example, pointing at a car, you would say 呢架 (ni1 gaa3 - this one [vehicle]). 呢個 (ni1 go3) is only used if the object actually takes the 個 (go3) classifier, or if you genuinely do not know what the object is.

2. Adding Numbers
When specifying a quantity, the number goes between 呢 and the classifier: Demonstrative + Number + Classifier + Noun. For example, 呢兩本書 (ni1 loeng5 bun2 syu1) means 'these two books'.

3. Plurality and Mass Nouns
To express 'these' without a specific number, 呢 is followed by the plural classifier 啲 (di1). For example, 呢啲人 (ni1 di1 jan4) means 'these people'.

4. 'Here'
Combining 呢 with location suffixes creates words for 'here'. The most common is 呢度 (ni1 dou6), but you will also frequently hear 呢處 (ni1 syu3) and 呢便 (ni1 bin6 - this side / over here).

5. Time and Manner Expressions
呢 is used to form common time and manner expressions, such as 呢次 (ni1 ci3 - this time), 呢樣 (ni1 joeng6 - this kind/type), and 呢陣 (ni1 zan6 - this moment/recently).

6. Pronunciation Variants
While the dictionary standard is ni1, you will frequently hear native speakers in Hong Kong pronounce it as nei1, li1, or lei1. You will also hear the pronunciation ji1 (often written with the character 依). Many linguists treat ji1 as a distinct demonstrative root rather than just a fast speech variant of ni1.

7. Formal Equivalent
呢 is a colloquial character. In formal Standard Written Chinese, it is replaced by 這 (ze5). Using 呢 in a formal essay is usually considered non-standard.

8. Disambiguation: Demonstrative vs. Particle
Do not confuse this demonstrative with the sentence-final particle 呢 (ne1). If you see 呢 at the end of a sentence, it is a particle with a completely different pronunciation (ne1). It is used for 'how about...?' questions (e.g., 你呢？ nei5 ne1? - How about you?), to ask 'Where is...?' (e.g., 我本書呢？ ngo5 bun2 syu1 ne1? - Where is my book?), and to soften or sustain other questions (e.g., 點解呢？ dim2 gaai2 ne1? - Why?).

Examples (6)

  1. 呢個人好客氣。

    This person is very polite.

    Word by Word: This [CL] person very polite.

    Here, 呢 (ni1) is followed by the general classifier 個 (go3) to refer to a person (人 jan4).

  2. 我想要呢本書。

    I want this book.

    Word by Word: I want this [CL:book] book.

    The specific classifier for books, 本 (bun2), must be used after 呢 (ni1).

  3. 呢幾日好熱。

    These few days have been very hot.

    Word by Word: This few day very hot.

    呢 (ni1) can also be used with numbers or quantifiers like 幾 (gei2 - a few) to indicate a plural time period.

  4. 呢啲蘋果好甜。

    These apples are very sweet.

    Word by Word: This [PLURAL] apple very sweet.

    Using 啲 (di1) after 呢 (ni1) turns 'this' into the plural 'these'.

  5. 呢度好嘈。

    It is very noisy here.

    Word by Word: This place very noisy.

    Combining 呢 (ni1) with 度 (dou6 - place) creates the word for 'here'.

  6. 呢本書係我嘅，你嗰本呢？

    This book is mine, what about yours?

    Word by Word: This [CL] book is I [POSS], you that [CL] [PART]?

    This sentence shows both uses of the character: the demonstrative 呢 (ni1) at the beginning meaning 'this', and the sentence-final particle 呢 (ne1) at the end meaning 'what about?'.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the classifier between 'this' and the noun.

    呢書好貴。
    呢本書好貴。

    In Cantonese, you cannot say 'ni1 syu1'. You must include the classifier 本 (bun2) to bridge the demonstrative and the noun.

  • Using the Mandarin written form '這' in spoken Cantonese.

    這本書好貴。
    呢本書好貴。

    While '這' (ze5) is used in writing, always use '呢' (ni1) when speaking to sound natural.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

呢Level 1This

Learn This First

To use '呢' (this) correctly, you need to understand the Cantonese requirement that demonstratives must be paired with a classifier before a noun. Familiarity with the general classifier '個' provides the most common practical application of this pattern.

Words in This Pattern