Why does 那么高 mean 'that tall' but also 'so tall'?
这么 points at what's near you or just said; 那么 points away or means 'to that degree'.
这么 points at something right here or just mentioned. 那么 points at something far away or not present. English uses one word, 'so', for both jobs, which is why this trips people up. When you mean 'to that degree', 那么 is your everyday default. 这么 works when the thing is right in front of you or fresh in the chat.
| Situation / Pattern | Formula | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thing is right here or just said | 这么 + adjective | 这么贵,我不买 | 那么贵 (pointing at your own hand) |
| Thing is far away or absent | 那么 + adjective | 你那么忙,还来帮我 | 这么忙 (about someone across town) |
| Just meaning 'so' with no pointing | 那么 + adjective | 这菜那么好吃 | — (这么 also fine here) |