Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 家伙 | jiāhuo |
| 小伙子 | xiǎohuǒzi |
In a colloquial sense, 家伙 is used to refer to a man or a guy. You can also use the phrase 这家伙 to mean 'this guy' or 'this fellow', which can express either affection or slight annoyance depending on the context. Among young people and close friends, you might also hear 老铁 (literally 'old iron') or 老兄 (meaning 'old brother' or 'bro') used as informal ways to address a male friend.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 家伙 literally means 'fellow', 'guy' or even 'thing' depending on the context in which it is used.
Which one should you use?
While 家伙 is a general term for a guy, 小伙子 is more specific and refers to a young man or a lad.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 家伙 is informal and should not be used in formal settings or when addressing someone with respect. Similarly, 老铁 and 老兄 are informal terms used for friends.
How do you pronounce it?
jiāhuo
Did you know?
- The word 家伙 is also used in martial arts contexts to refer to 'weapons'. A practitioner might refer to their sword or staff as their 家伙.
- In Northern Chinese dialects, the term 老铁 (lǎotiě) for a close friend actually uses the word for 'iron' to signify a bond that is unbreakable and solid.
- The word 小伙子 (xiǎohuǒzi) is not just a way to say 'dude', but is often used by elders to address young men. It carries a sense of 'young lad' that feels much more paternal than the English 'dude'.
Examples in context
- 嘿，哥们儿，你今天约了谁吃饭？Hey, dude, who are you meeting for dinner today?
- 老铁，我跟小明一起吃晚饭。Dude, I'm having dinner with Xiaoming.
- 那家伙真厉害。Nà jiāhuo zhēn lìhai.That dude is really amazing.
- 这家伙又迟到了。Zhè jiāhuo yòu chídào le.This dude is late again.
- 我不认识那个家伙。Wǒ bù rènshi nàge jiāhuo.I don't know that dude.
Example conversation
At a coffee shop, Yuting and Haoran are watching a man run by.
- 雨婷 Yuting你看那个家伙跑得真快。Nǐ kàn nàge jiāhuo pǎo de zhēn kuài.Look at how fast that dude is running.
- 浩然 Haoran他是专业的运动员吗？Tā shì zhuānyè de yùndòngyuán ma?Is he a professional athlete?
- 雨婷 Yuting也许是吧。Yěxǔ shì ba.Maybe he is.
- 浩然 Haoran他的体力真的很惊人。Tā de tǐlì zhēn de hěn jīngrén.His stamina is truly incredible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dude” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
