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I have always seen, when referring to plural nouns, the word 些 is used after demonstrative pronouns (这,那). For example, 这些书:these books.
Does it mean that if we say 这本书, it can only have singular meaning? Or it can have both singular and both plural meaning?
I mean, which one of the following is correct?
Thanks for your help
The first one is correct. 这本书 only has the singular meaning.
这本书 This book
这一本书 This book alone
这几本书 These few books
这两本书 These two books
这些书 These books
这堆书 This pile of books
这包书 This bag of books
Since Chinese word does not have the plural form, so a numerical indicator must be provided immediately in front of the subject noun to identify the quantity the speaker is referring to. However, the lowest possible quantity "一" is usually dropped for convenience.
这本书 = 这"一"本书
那個人 = 那"一"個人
那顆樹 = 那"一"顆樹
