Using 那個了

[kentsuarez]

Here in Taipei, people often use 那個(了) like the English whatchyamacallit, thingy, etc., and 那個,那個,那個誰, like the English nominal "what's his name". It's also used as a substitute for socially uncomfortable things, as in 他/她是不是那個了?, which could mean variously 'is she pregnant?', 'is he gay?', and so on, while 'so, is he dead?' might be 他有不有那個了?.

The meaning is usually conveyed by context alone; an example:

他很有娘娘腔, 是不是那個了?

(He speaks in a very effeminate manner; do you think he's, you know...?"

My question is, do you see these kinds of usage in the PRC too? Or something similar? Just curious.

[skylee]

We use 乜嘢 (那個) and 阿邊個 (那個誰) in Cantonese.

他是不是那個了? = 佢係唔係乜嘢呀?

他很有娘娘腔, 是不是那個了? = 佢乸乸哋，係唔係乜嘢呀?

[blackadder]

Here in Taipei, people often use 那個(了) like the English whatchyamacallit, thingy, etc., and 那個,那個,那個誰, like the English nominal "what's his name". It's also used as a substitute for socially uncomfortable things, as in 他/她是不是那個了?, which could mean variously 'is she pregnant?', 'is he gay?', and so on, while 'so, is he dead?' might be 他有不有那個了?.

The meaning is usually conveyed by context alone; an example:

他很有娘娘腔, 是不是那個了?

(He speaks in a very effeminate manner; do you think he's, you know...?"

My question is, do you see these kinds of usage in the PRC too? Or something similar? Just curious.

他很娘娘腔, 是不是那個呀/啊? is much better... i think

她是不是那個了? for me, it's like the SHE is on her period...

[Guest IVYtony]

那個 has many many meanings in different context.

Generally, its meaning is not a good one.

example:

那個 means people are shy to tell directly what it is.

[yonglan]

I remember one of my teachers in Taipei, when refering to students in that class in the third person, would say "那個誰?"

[smithsgj]

while 'so, is he dead?' might be 他有不有那個了?.

Is this a typo or are you pointing out some unusual structure here (serious question)?

[BeijingSlacker]

It can sound girlish

[seesaw]

My question is, do you see these kinds of usage in the PRC too? Or something similar? Just curious.

Yes. People in mainland China do use this expression, too.

It can sound girlish

I agree.

这里有另外一个例子：

（一个女孩问另一个女孩）那……你们有没有那个？

猜猜它很可能是什么意思？

[smithsgj]

The clap?

[ced1zh]

if u heard this word In a chinese TV show, it'd mean having sex