# How to say this one in Chinese

URL: https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/this-one-in-chinese/
Updated: 2026-11-05

This one in Chinese is 这个 (zhè ge). Point at what you want and say it. You do not need to know the name of the food. The seller names it back to you and asks how many.

## The phrase

**这个** (zhè ge): This one

Pinyin is written the way the words are said, tone changes included, the same as in the game.

### What it means

这个 (zhè ge) means “this one”. 这 (zhè) is “this”. 个 (ge) is a small word that Chinese puts between “this” (or a number) and a thing.

It is one of the most common words in spoken Chinese. People also say it while they think, like “um” in English.

### How to say it

Say zhè ge. zhè falls. ge is short and soft.

zh sounds close to the “j” in “jam”, with the tongue curled back a little.

In fast speech you may hear zhèi ge. Both are normal.

## When to use it

### Breakfast stalls and food counters

Buns, dumplings, pancakes and eggs sit in steamers and on trays, often with no labels. Point and say 这个 (zhè ge).

### Menus with pictures

Many small restaurants have photo menus on the wall or behind a QR code. Point at the photo and say 这个 (zhè ge).

### In shops

Hold up the thing and ask the price: 这个多少钱 (zhè ge duō shao qián, how much is this)?

## Other ways to say it

Related words from the game.

- **我要这个。** (wǒ yào zhè ge.): I want this one.
  - When: A full sentence. It makes clear that you are ordering.
- **那个。** (nà ge.): That one.
  - When: For something further away, or closer to the other person.
- **我要那个** (wǒ yào nà ge): I want that one
  - When: For something behind the counter or on a high shelf.
- **这是什么？** (zhè shì shén me?): What is this?
  - When: Ask at a stall when you want to know before you choose.

## What people say back

- **这个** (zhè ge): This one
  - When: You say it at a breakfast stall, but you are not pointing at anything.
  - They may say: **你要哪一个？指给我看看。** (nǐ yào nǎ yí ge? zhǐ gěi wǒ kàn kan.): Which one do you want? Point it out for me. (Point at it and say 这个 (zhè ge) again.)
- **这个** (zhè ge): This one
  - When: You point at the steamed buns.
  - They may say: **包子？想要几个？** (bāo zi? xiǎng yào jǐ ge?): Steamed bun? How many? (The seller names the food, then asks how many. Answer with a number.)
- **这个** (zhè ge): This one
  - When: At the hotel desk you take the wrong thing out of your bag.
  - They may say: **不是这个，护照。** (bú shì zhè ge, hù zhào.): Not this one. Passport.

## Common mistakes

### Not pointing

The word only works with a gesture. Without one, the seller has to ask which one you mean.

### No answer to “how many?”

After 这个 (zhè ge) the next question is almost always 几个 (jǐ ge, how many)? Have a number ready, or hold up fingers.

### Mixing up this and that

这个 (zhè ge) is near you. 那个 (nà ge) is further away. If you point, people understand either way.

### Hearing “one” instead of “this one”

一个 (yí ge, one) and 这个 (zhè ge, this one) sound alike to new learners. Both end in ge. Listen to the first syllable: yí or zhè.

## Where it comes up in the game

### The breakfast stall

On your first morning you cannot name anything on the counter, and you do not need to. You say you want breakfast. The owner asks which one. You point and say 这个 (zhè ge). The owner names it and asks how many.

### The convenience store

You put 我要 (wǒ yào, I want) and 这个 (zhè ge) together to order lunch: 我要这个 (wǒ yào zhè ge). You use 这个 (zhè ge) again later in the week, at a bun shop in the train station and on a boat ride.

### The hotel desk

Things come out of your pocket when you say their names. If you take out the wrong one, the receptionist says 不是这个，护照 (bú shì zhè ge, hù zhào, not this, your passport).

## Questions

### How do you say this one in Chinese?

This one in Chinese is 这个 (zhè ge). Point at what you want while you say it. It is the easiest way to order food when you do not know its name.

### How do you say that one in Chinese?

That one in Chinese is 那个 (nà ge). Use it for something further away. 这个 (zhè ge) is for something close.

### Can I order food in China just by pointing?

You can order by pointing at breakfast stalls, bakeries and food counters. Point and say 这个 (zhè ge, this one). The seller usually names the food and asks how many, so have a number ready.

### What does 个 mean in 这个?

个 (ge) is a small word that Chinese puts between “this”, “that” or a number and a thing. It is the most common one. It is also in 几个 (jǐ ge, how many) and 一个 (yí ge, one).

### Do people say zhe ge or zhei ge?

People say both. 这个 (zhè ge) is written zhè ge, and many people say zhèi ge in fast speech. Either one is understood.

### How do I say I want this one in Chinese?

I want this one in Chinese is 我要这个 (wǒ yào zhè ge). 我 (wǒ) means “I”, 要 (yào) means “want” and 这个 (zhè ge) means “this one”.

## Related pages

- [How to say how much in Chinese](https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/how-much-in-chinese/): How to ask a price, how to ask about one thing or a price per half kilo, and how prices are said back.
- [How to say no spicy in Chinese](https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/no-spicy-in-chinese/): What to answer when a cook asks if you want it spicy: none, a little or extra, and how to ask whether a dish is spicy.
- [How to say no thank you in Chinese](https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/say/no-thank-you-in-chinese/): The polite way to turn down drivers, sellers and offers, and why it sounds softer than a plain “don’t want”.
- [Chinese for a family trip to China with kids](https://verychinesetimeinmylife.com/for/china-trip-with-kids/): Mild food, restrooms, drinks, photo requests, a tired child, and describing someone in a crowd.