这么 / 那么【zhème / nàme】

这么 and 那么 before an adjective say how far a quality goes: "so", "this", "that". 这么 points at something here and now; 那么 at something further off, or at something the other person said.

The adjective stands bare after them, with no 很.

• × 今天怎么这么很冷 → 今天怎么这么冷

Surprise and complaint

这么 often carries surprise, especially after 怎么 or 没想到.

Before a noun

这么 / 那么 + adjective + 的 + noun gives "such a …".

In comparisons

没有 + B + 那么 + adjective says A doesn't reach B's level; see 比.

Not "so" meaning "therefore"

English "so" also joins a reason to a result. That is 所以, never 这么.

• × 我很累，这么我睡觉了 → 我很累，所以我睡觉了

Before a verb, 这么 means "like this": 这么做, 这么说.