When do I use 这样 vs 那样?

Use 这样 for something close to the speaker's current situation, action, or topic. Use 那样 for something farther away — earlier in the conversation, something someone else did, or a hypothetical. The choice mirrors the 'this/that' distinction but is more about context than physical distance.

Can 这样 and 那样 both mean 'like this/that'?

Yes, they commonly appear in patterns like '像这样/那样 (like this/that)' and '这样/那样做 (do it this/that way)'. The difference is the reference point: 像这样 means 'like this (what I'm doing/saying now)', while 像那样 means 'like that (what you/he/she did/said earlier or elsewhere)'.

Is there a difference in tone when criticizing with 这样 vs 那样?

Yes, '不要这样/别这样' (don't be like this) is often more direct, used when the speaker is involved or the action is present. '不要那样/别那样' (don't be like that) can sound slightly less confrontational because it refers to something more distant, often the listener's past behavior or a general category.

How do I say 'in that case' — 那样的话 or 这样的话?

Both exist: 那样的话 means 'in that case' (referring to a preceding statement), while 这样的话 means 'in this case' (if the condition is closer). 那样的话 is more common and idiomatic for setting up a consequence.

Easily confusedHSK 2

这样 (zhèyàng) vs 那样 (nàyàng): 'this way' vs 'that way' in Chinese

这样 (zhèyàng) means 'this way' and refers to a method, manner, or situation close to the speaker's perspective. 那样 (nàyàng) means 'that way' and refers to something more distant or previously mentioned. The distinction is primarily based on the speaker's viewpoint, not physical distance, and is crucial for expressing manner, degree, or state naturally in Chinese.

这样 and 那样 are demonstrative pronouns/adverbs that describe manner, state, or degree. 这样 refers to something 'this way' – close to the speaker in context, either currently being done or just mentioned. 那样 refers to something 'that way' – more remote from the speaker, often already known or hypothetical. They commonly appear in patterns like '像这样/那样 (like this/that)', '这样/那样做 (do it this/that way)', and in comparisons. The choice depends on the speaker's reference point, not necessarily physical distance.

When to use each

这样zhèyàng

this way

Use 这样 when referring to a manner or situation that is close to the speaker's current point of reference – for example, the way the speaker is doing something right now, or a state just mentioned in the conversation. It is also used as a conversational filler (similar to 'well' or 'like this') to transition or introduce an example. In negative sentences, 这样 can express 'not like this' to correct or reject.

那样nàyàng

that way

Use 那样 when the manner or state is distant from the speaker's current reference – something already known, previously mentioned, or hypothetical. It often appears in comparisons (不如那样好 'not as good as that way') and when describing something the listener did or something outside the immediate context. In negative or critical sentences, 那样 can soften the tone ('Don't be like that').

At a glance

	这样	那样
Proximity to speaker	Near (current action, just said)	Far (earlier, hypothetical, other person)
Common patterns	像这样 (like this), 这样吧 (how about this), 这样...那样... (this way… that way…)	像那样 (like that), 那样的话 (in that case), 那样不如...
Use in comparisons	这样好 (this way is good) – often judged against the speaker's own standard	那样好 (that way is good) – often refers to a known alternative standard
Tone in negatives	不要这样 (don't be like this) – more direct, urgent	不要那样 (don't be like that) – can be gentler, referring to someone else's behavior

Examples

这样
你应该这样写。
Nǐ yīnggāi zhèyàng xiě.
You should write it this way.
The speaker is demonstrating or referring to their own action.
那样
不要那样做。
Bù yào nàyàng zuò.
Don't do it that way.
Refers to a method previously mentioned or done by someone else.
这样
我觉得这样比较好。
Wǒ juéde zhèyàng bǐjiào hǎo.
I think this way is better.
Expresses the speaker's own preference in the current context.
那样
那样的话，我们就换一个方法。
Nàyàng dehuà, wǒmen jiù huàn yī ge fāngfǎ.
In that case, we'll change to another method.
那样的话 is a fixed phrase meaning 'in that case'.
这样
像这样，就能学会了。
Xiàng zhèyàng, jiù néng xuéhuì le.
Like this, you can learn it.
The speaker is demonstrating an action while speaking.
那样
我不喜欢那样的人。
Wǒ bù xǐhuān nàyàng de rén.
I don't like that kind of person.
那样 modifies a noun to mean 'that kind of' — a distant category.

Common mistakes

Using 那样 when demonstrating your own current action (e.g., '你应该那样写' when you are showing how to write) — use 这样.
Using 这样 when referring to a method already established in the past (e.g., '他上次这样告诉我' when '他这样说' would be more natural if referring to a past point) — consider context; 那样 is often better for past reported speech.
Overgeneralizing 这样 as the only way to say 'like this' — 这样 is just one form; there are also 这么 (zhème) for degree, but that's a separate term.
Mixing up 这样 and 这么 — 这么 modifies adjectives (这么高 'so tall'), while 这样 modifies verbs or clauses (这样做 'do this way'). Not an error for this pair but a common confusion.

FAQ

When do I use 这样 vs 那样?: Use 这样 for something close to the speaker's current situation, action, or topic. Use 那样 for something farther away — earlier in the conversation, something someone else did, or a hypothetical. The choice mirrors the 'this/that' distinction but is more about context than physical distance.
Can 这样 and 那样 both mean 'like this/that'?: Yes, they commonly appear in patterns like '像这样/那样 (like this/that)' and '这样/那样做 (do it this/that way)'. The difference is the reference point: 像这样 means 'like this (what I'm doing/saying now)', while 像那样 means 'like that (what you/he/she did/said earlier or elsewhere)'.
Is there a difference in tone when criticizing with 这样 vs 那样?: Yes, '不要这样/别这样' (don't be like this) is often more direct, used when the speaker is involved or the action is present. '不要那样/别那样' (don't be like that) can sound slightly less confrontational because it refers to something more distant, often the listener's past behavior or a general category.
How do I say 'in that case' — 那样的话 or 这样的话?: Both exist: 那样的话 means 'in that case' (referring to a preceding statement), while 这样的话 means 'in this case' (if the condition is closer). 那样的话 is more common and idiomatic for setting up a consequence.