Grammar basics
Demonstrative pronouns
A demonstrative pronoun points to something: this, that, these, those. It stands alone, with no noun after it.
Near or far? One or many?
| Near (here) | Far (there) | |
|---|---|---|
| One | this | that |
| Many | these | those |
When a noun comes after the word, like this car, it is a demonstrative adjective.
Thai has three, English has two
Thai has นี่, นั่น and โน่น. English has only two distances: this (near) and that (far). Also, practice the soft th sound /ð/. Put your tongue between your teeth. Say this, not dis.
This
pronoun/ðɪs/ไทยนี่, สิ่งนี้
One thing that is near you.
This is my new laptop.
That
pronoun/ðæt/ไทยนั่น, สิ่งนั้น
One thing that is far from you.
What is that? It smells delicious.
These
pronoun/ðiːz/ไทยสิ่งเหล่านี้
More than one thing that is near you.
These are my notes from English class.
Those
pronoun/ðoʊz/ไทยสิ่งเหล่านั้น
More than one thing that is far from you.
Those are my friends over there.