那次
How to Understand
那 is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'that,' and 次 means 'time' or 'occasion.' Together, 那次 refers to 'that time' or 'on that occasion,' used to refer to a specific past event that has already been mentioned or is known to the listener.
The character 那 (nà) comes from the classical Chinese for 'that,' used to point to something distant in time or space. 次 (cì) originally meant 'step' or 'time,' and it evolved to mean 'occasion' or 'instance.' Combining them creates a phrase that identifies a particular moment in the past.
那 is commonly used in conversations to reference previously mentioned events. It is often used in storytelling or when recalling past experiences. For example, people might say 那次旅行真难忘 (That trip was unforgettable) to describe a memorable experience. It is also used in formal and informal contexts and is essential for clear communication about past events.