Manner Demonstratives 这么 and 那么 in Chinese
这么/那么/这样/那样
这么 and 那么 point to a degree or manner, roughly this or that much and this or that way. 这样 and 那样 refer to a type, manner, or situation and can modify a noun with 的. All four precede the expression whose manner or kind they identify.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
这么/那么 + Adjective/Verb; 这样/那样 + 的 + Noun
Read the structure
这么 and 那么 point to a degree or manner, roughly this or that much and this or that way. 这样 and 那样 refer to a type, manner, or situation and can modify a noun with 的. All four precede the expression whose manner or kind they identify. Keep the model 这么/那么 + Adjective/Verb; 这样/那样 + 的 + Noun visible while you compare each sentence.
今天怎么这么冷？
Why is it so cold today?
Choose the right context
Use 这么 or 那么 before an adjective to point to its degree. Use 这么 before a verb to demonstrate a way of acting. Use 这样的 or 那样的 before a noun to identify a kind.
请不要那么说。
Please do not say it that way.
Respect the boundary
Do not put 这么 after the adjective whose degree it modifies. Do not omit 的 when 这样 directly modifies an ordinary noun in this basic pattern. Do not use 这么 as a substitute for the object demonstrative 这个.
今天怎么这么了冷？
(Why is it so cold today?)
Repair the pattern
Aspect particle splits the degree phrase: 这么 must directly modify 冷; aspect particle 了 cannot occupy the slot between this degree demonstrative and its adjectival head. Noun modifier lacks 的: When 这样 describes the kind of an ordinary noun, 的 links the demonstrative expression to the noun.
今天怎么这么冷？
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
今天怎么这么冷？
Why is it so cold today?
今天
这么/那么
This part occupies the 这么/那么 position in the model pattern.
怎么
Adjective/Verb; 这样/那样
This part occupies the Adjective/Verb; 这样/那样 position in the model pattern.
这么
的
This part occupies the 的 position in the model pattern.
冷
Noun
This part occupies the Noun position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
今天怎么这么冷？
Why is it so cold today?
请不要那么说。
Please do not say it that way.
我喜欢这样的书。
I like this kind of book.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 这么 or 那么 before an adjective to point to its degree.
- Use 这么 before a verb to demonstrate a way of acting.
- Use 这样的 or 那样的 before a noun to identify a kind.
Do not use it when
- Do not put 这么 after the adjective whose degree it modifies.
- Do not omit 的 when 这样 directly modifies an ordinary noun in this basic pattern.
- Do not use 这么 as a substitute for the object demonstrative 这个.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
今天怎么这么了冷？
今天怎么这么冷？
Aspect particle splits the degree phrase
这么 must directly modify 冷; aspect particle 了 cannot occupy the slot between this degree demonstrative and its adjectival head.
我喜欢这样书。
我喜欢这样的书。
Noun modifier lacks 的
When 这样 describes the kind of an ordinary noun, 的 links the demonstrative expression to the noun.
今天怎么这么了冷？
这么 must directly modify 冷; aspect particle 了 cannot occupy the slot between this degree demonstrative and its adjectival head.
我喜欢这样书。
When 这样 describes the kind of an ordinary noun, 的 links the demonstrative expression to the noun.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 这么/那么/这样/那样.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 这么/那么/这样/那样. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Manner Demonstratives 这么 and 那么 Questions
How do 这么 and 这样 differ?
这么 commonly modifies degree or manner; 这样 often names a kind or manner and can stand more independently.
Can 这样 end a sentence?
Yes. It can be a predicate complement meaning like this, as in 事情就是这样.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 2 item 【二07】 (PDF p. 186)
Provides official Level 2 directory placement and examples only; it does not establish the learner-facing usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 7, Specifiers and Demonstratives
Supports demonstrative expressions before the degree, manner, or noun phrase that they identify.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
定语语序Basic Attributive Order
Compare the 这么那么这样那样 instruction method with the ordinary attributive arrangement to avoid placing degree instructions at the wrong level.
Compare
该/另/兹Formal Nominal Uses of 该, 另, and 兹
Compare the spoken situation indicator of 这么那么这样那样 with the formal noun qualification of 该另兹, and choose the form according to genre.
Continue learning
的/地Basic 的 and 地 Modifiers
Compare 这么那么这样那样 to form 的 indicator modification with the attributive word 的 to check whether a structural particle is needed after the indicator word.
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Compare
Compare the 这么那么这样那样 instruction method with the ordinary attributive arrangement to avoid placing degree instructions at the wrong level.