本(běn) vs 此(cǐ)

本 vs 此

When used as demonstrative pronouns, both “本” and “此” have their distinct usages in Chinese, typically appearing in more formal contexts such as in written documents, news reports, or official speeches.

本 (běn)

本 means “one’s own” or “current.”

本 + Noun / Noun phrase

It is often used to refer to oneself or one’s own institution, organization, place, or the current time.

e.g.

本公司将推出新产品。 (Běn gōngsī jiāng tuīchū xīn chǎnpǐn.) This company will launch a new product.

本校禁止吸烟。 (Běn xiào jìnzhǐ xīyān.) Smoking is prohibited in this school.

本人同意上述条款。 (Běn rén tóngyì shàngshù tiáokuǎn.) I agree to the above terms.

本月底前完成报告。 (Běn yuè dǐ qián wánchéng bàogào.) Finish the report by the end of this month.

“本 + noun” can sometimes refer back to a previously mentioned noun or pronoun, not limited to the speaker or the collective group the speaker belongs to.

e.g.

她本人不同意这个合作。(Tā běnrén bù tóngyì zhège hézuò.) She herself does not agree with this cooperation.

校长本人将出席这次会议。(Xiàozhǎng běnrén jiāng chūxí zhè cì huìyì.) The principal himself will attend this meeting.

病人本人提出不想继续治疗了。(Bìngrén běnrén tíchū bù xiǎng jìxù zhìliáo le.) The patient himself has expressed that he does not want to continue the treatment.

Additionally, “本 + noun” can also indicate “这(this),” particularly when speaking from the perspective of the creator or manager.

法官：本案将再审理。 (Fǎguān: Běn àn jiāng zài shěnlǐ.) Judge: This case will be re-examined.

经理：本项目顺利完成！(Jīnglǐ: Běn xiàngmù shùnlì wánchéng!) Manager: This project has been successfully completed!

导演：本剧将于下个月上映。(Dǎoyǎn: Běn jù jiāng yú xià gè yuè shàngyìng.) Director: This drama will premiere next month.

本 + Measure word + Noun

Here “本” means “这(this)”.

e.g.

本次活动将于明天开始。 (Běn cì huódòng jiāng yú míngtiān kāishǐ.) This event will start tomorrow.

本场比赛吸引了众多观众。 (Běn chǎng bǐsài xīyǐnle zhòngduō guānzhòng.) This game attracted many spectators.

本款产品受到消费者的欢迎。 (Běn kuǎn chǎnpǐn shòudào xiāofèizhě de huānyíng.) This product is welcomed by consumers.

此 (cǐ)

此 means “this,” contrasting with “彼” (bǐ), which means “that.”

此 + Noun

“此” is typically used before common nouns or nouns indicating time to point out specific people, objects, or situations.

e.g.

此事无法忍受。 (Cǐ shì wúfǎ rěnshòu.) This matter is intolerable.

此地不宜久留。 (Cǐ dì bù yí jiǔ liú.) This place is not suitable for a long stay.

此刻我必须离开。 (Cǐ kè wǒ bìxū líkāi.) I must leave at this moment.

此案正在审理中。 (Cǐ àn zhèngzài shěnlǐ zhōng.) This case is currently under review.

此书值得一读。 (Cǐ shū zhídé yī dú.) This book is worth reading.

此 + Measure word + Noun

e.g.

此次会议非常重要。 (Cǐ cì huìyì fēicháng zhòngyào.) This meeting is very important.

此类问题需谨慎处理。 (Cǐ lèi wèntí xū jǐnshèn chǔlǐ.) This type of issue requires careful handling.

此种情况很少见。 (Cǐ zhǒng qíngkuàng hěn shǎojiàn.) This kind of situation is rare.

此趟列车由广州发车开往上海。(Cǐ tàng lièchē yóu Guǎngzhōu fāchē kāiwǎng Shànghǎi.) This train departs from Guangzhou and heads to Shanghai.