这 from HSK Level 1 Vocabulary List

The Chinese character 这 (zhè) is composed of two parts: the radical 辵 (chuò), which represents walking or movement, and the phonetic component 者 (zhě). The radical 辵 indicates that 这 is related to movement or direction, while the phonetic component 者 provides a clue to its pronunciation.The original meaning of 这 was "this" or "here", and it was often used to indicate a specific location or object. Over time, the meaning of 这 expanded to include a wider range of uses, including:- As a demonstrative pronoun, 这 can be used to refer to something specific or particular. For example, 这本书 (zhè běn shū) means "this book".- As an interrogative pronoun, 这 can be used to ask about something specific. For example, 这是什么 (zhè shì shénme) means "what is this?"- As an exclamatory particle, 这 can be used to express surprise, anger, or other strong emotions. For example, 这太棒了 (zhè tài bàng le) means "this is great!"The character 这 is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, and it is an important part of the Chinese language. By understanding the etymology of 这, HSK learners can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and usage.