這

這 is a phono-semantic compound consisting of the semantic component 辶 ("walk") and the phonetic component 言 ("to say"). The component 辶 is itself composed of 彳 ("to walk slowly") and 止 ("foot").

Originally, the character functioned as a verb meaning "to meet" and is part of the same word family as 迎. It was later borrowed to serve as a proximal demonstrative for people, things, or matters nearby, functioning as the opposite of 那. This borrowing likely occurred due to a confusion in medieval handwriting with 遮. In its modern usage, it also denotes "at this moment" or "right away."

While the character was first attested during the Tang dynasty, its etymology remains unclear. Some propose it may have been reconstructed from 者, though Wang notes that 者 follows the referent while 這 precedes it. Another possibility suggests a connection to 之, though Norman notes this would be phonologically problematic.