那个
nà ge
That that that · trad. 那個
The English phrase "that that that" is a grammatical curiosity, showcasing how the word "that" can serve multiple distinct functions in a single sentence (demonstrative, conjunction, and relative pronoun). In Chinese, each of these functions is expressed differently, meaning there is no direct, single translation for "that that that." Instead, you must identify the role of each "that" to translate it correctly.
When to use it
Neutral. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate translation and comprehension, as Chinese grammar handles these concepts very differently from English.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "NAH-guh." The first syllable has a falling tone, and the second is a light, neutral tone.
Other ways to say it
- 那个nà gethat (demonstrative pronoun or adjective, e.g., 'that book')
- 的dethat (relative pronoun marker, e.g., 'the book that I read')
- (常省略)( cháng shěng lüè )that (conjunction, often omitted, e.g., 'I know that he is busy')
Examples
那个是我的。
nà ge shì wǒ de 。
That is mine. (Demonstrative pronoun)
我知道他会来。
wǒ zhī dào tā huì lái 。
I know that he will come. (Conjunction 'that' is omitted)
你读的那本书很好。
nǐ dú de nà běn shū hěn hǎo 。
The book that you read is good. (的 marks the relative clause)
Pro tip: When encountering multiple 'that's in English, remember that Chinese uses different words or structures for each function. Don't try to translate 'that' uniformly; instead, identify its grammatical role (demonstrative, conjunction, or relative pronoun) to choose the correct Chinese equivalent.
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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