Usage of 其
The character 其 (qí) is a classical and literary pronoun often used to mean "his," "her," "its," or "their." It can refer to people or things previously mentioned or understood from context. In modern Mandarin, it appears mostly in formal or written language rather than everyday speech.
Common Functions
- Possessive pronoun: It replaces 他 (he), 她 (she), or 它 (it) with a more formal tone, e.g., 其人 (that person), 其家 (his/her family).
- Demonstrative pronoun: It can mean "that" or "those," pointing to something mentioned earlier.
- Enumerative phrase: Used in expressions like 其一, 其二 (the first, the second) to list items.
Collocations and Patterns
Notes
- 其 is more common in written or formal contexts than in spoken Mandarin.
- It can sometimes be confused with 他 or 它, but 其 carries a more literary or formal nuance.
- Avoid using 其 in casual conversation; use 他/她/它 instead.
Understanding 其 helps learners read classical texts, formal writing, and some idiomatic expressions.