Usage of 这么
The word 这么 (zhème) is commonly used to indicate 'this way' or 'like this' and often expresses surprise, emphasis, or a manner of doing something. It can modify verbs or adjectives to describe how something happens or the degree of a quality.
Common contexts
- Expressing surprise or questioning: "你怎么会这么晚才回来？" shows surprise about the lateness.
- Describing manner or degree: "这么做对身体不好" explains that doing something in this way is harmful.
- Emphasizing unexpectedness: "我没想到他会这么说。"
Collocations and patterns
- 这么 + adjective/adverb: to emphasize degree, e.g., 这么好 (so good), 这么快 (so fast).
- 这么 + verb: to describe the manner of an action, e.g., 这么做 (do it like this).
- 这么 + question: often used in rhetorical or surprised questions.
Nuances
Using 这么 often implies the speaker's attitude, such as surprise or emphasis. It is more colloquial and common in spoken Chinese than the more formal 如此 (rúcǐ). Avoid confusing 这么 with 那么 (nàme), which means 'that way' or 'so' referring to something more distant or previously mentioned.