What does "他" mean in English?
As a Chinese pronoun, "他" refers to the third person singular masculine pronoun in English. It is commonly used to refer to a male person or animal, such as "he" in English. However, it is important to note that "他" is not gender-neutral and cannot be used to refer to a female person or animal. In this article, we will explore the different meanings and uses of "他" in English.
1. "他" as a subject pronoun
When "他" is used as a subject pronoun, it is equivalent to "he" in English. For example:
他是我的朋友。 (Tā shì wǒ de péngyǒu.)
He is my friend.
2. "他" as an object pronoun
When "他" is used as an object pronoun, it is equivalent to "him" in English. For example:
我喜欢他。 (Wǒ xǐhuan tā.)
I like him.
3. "他" in possessive form
When "他" is used in possessive form, it is equivalent to "his" in English. For example:
他的书包在哪里？ (Tā de shūbāo zài nǎlǐ?)
Where is his backpack?
4. "他" in reflexive form
When "他" is used in reflexive form, it is equivalent to "himself" in English. For example:
他自己做的蛋糕很好吃。 (Tā zìjǐ zuò de dàngāo hěn hǎochī.)
The cake he made himself is very delicious.
5. "他" in comparative form
When "他" is used in comparative form, it is equivalent to "than him" in English. For example:
他比我高。 (Tā bǐ wǒ gāo.)
He is taller than me.
6. "他" in interrogative form
When "他" is used in interrogative form, it is equivalent to "who" in English. For example:
他是谁？ (Tā shì shéi?)
Who is he?
7. "他" in exclamatory form
When "他" is used in exclamatory form, it is equivalent to "him" or "he" in English. For example:
他真聪明！ (Tā zhēn cōngmíng!)
He is really smart!
Conclusion
In conclusion, "他" is a third person singular masculine pronoun in Chinese, equivalent to "he" in English. It has different forms and uses in different contexts, such as subject pronoun, object pronoun, possessive form, reflexive form, comparative form, interrogative form, and exclamatory form. Understanding its meanings and uses can help learners communicate more effectively in Chinese and English.