Greetings! If you’re eager to learn how to say “they” in Chinese, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of expressing “they” in Mandarin Chinese. Although Chinese does not have gender-specific pronouns like English, there are still several different pronouns you can use to refer to “they.” Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “They”
In formal Chinese, there are two pronouns used to express “they,” which are:
- Tāmen (他们) – This is the most common and neutral way of saying “they” in Chinese. It can be used to refer to either a group of males, a mixed-gender group, or a group when the gender is unknown or irrelevant. For example, you can say:
他们是我的朋友。(Tāmen shì wǒ de péngyǒu.) – They are my friends.
Nǐmen (你们) – This pronoun is used when addressing a group of people in a polite manner. While it literally translates to “you all,” it can also be used to denote “they” in a formal context. For instance:
你们应该去问问他们。(Nǐmen yīnggāi qù wèn wèn tāmen.) – You should go and ask them.
Informal Ways to Say “They”
In informal Chinese, there are different pronouns used to express “they” based on the gender of the group you are referring to:
Pronouns for Male Groups:
- Ta (他) – This is the informal pronoun for a group of males. For example:
他们去打篮球了。(Tāmen qù dǎ lánqiú le.) – They went to play basketball.
Lǎobǎn (老板) – Though it literally translates to “boss,” this pronoun can also be used to refer to a group of males casually or humorously. It conveys a friendly and relaxed tone. For instance:
昨天晚上我和几个同事去唱歌，他们听我的老板唱歌。(Zuótiān wǎnshàng wǒ hé jǐ gè tóngshì qù chànggē, tāmen tīng wǒ de lǎobǎn chànggē.) – Yesterday evening, I went singing with a few colleagues, and they heard my boss sing.
Pronouns for Female Groups:
- Tā (她) – This is the informal pronoun for a group of females. For example:
她们正在商量晚饭吃什么。(Tāmen zhèngzài shāngliàng wǎnfàn chī shénme.) – They are discussing what to have for dinner.
Jiěs (姐们) – This colloquial term is commonly used among friends to refer to a group of close female companions. It enhances the camaraderie and intimacy within the group. For instance:
昨天我和姐们一起逛街，她们买了很多漂亮的衣服。(Zuótiān wǒ hé jiěmen yīqǐ guàngjiē, tāmen mǎi le hěnduō piàoliang de yīfú.) – Yesterday, I went shopping with my girlfriends, and they bought many beautiful clothes.
It’s important to note that gendered pronouns in Chinese are not always strictly followed, and people often use gender-neutral pronouns for convenience or to promote gender inclusivity and equality.
Tips for Using “They” in Chinese
Here are some additional tips to help you navigate the usage of “they” in Chinese:
- Always consider the context before choosing a pronoun. The appropriate pronoun may vary depending on the situation and the relationship between the speaker and the group being referred to.
- If you are uncertain about the gender of the group, or it is a mixed-gender group, it is best to use the neutral pronouns “tāmen” (他们) or “nǐmen” (你们) to avoid any confusion or assumptions.
- Remember that Chinese is a tonal language, so pay attention to the correct pronunciation of each pronoun. Using the wrong tone can inadvertently change the meaning of a word.
- When in doubt, it is usually safer to use the more neutral and formal pronouns to maintain respect and avoid unintentional offense.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to say “they” in Chinese, go ahead and practice using these pronouns in everyday conversations. The more you practice, the smoother your expressions will become!
Happy learning, and enjoy your journey of exploring the richness of the Chinese language!
