Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你 | nǐ | /ni²¹⁴/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /nʲi⁵³/ (Mandarin, Chengdu, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 您 | nín | /nin³⁵/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /nei̯¹³/ (Cantonese, Guangzhou, Sinological IPA, Standard Cantonese, Hong Kong) |
formal |
| 你 | /li⁵⁵⁴/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, Yilan, Philippines, Singapore, Sinological IPA, Hsinchu) /li⁵³/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung, Yilan, Philippines, Singapore, Sinological IPA, Hsinchu) |
Hokkien | |
| 汝 | lí, lú | /lu⁵³/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Xiamen, Taipei, Sinological IPA) /lɯ⁵⁵⁴/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Quanzhou, Sinological IPA) |
Hokkien |
The primary way to address someone is through the subject pronoun forms provided. You can also use the construction 你這個…… /你这个…… (nǐ zhège) followed by a noun to express frustration or to scold someone, which is similar to saying 'You [noun/adjective]…!' in English.
Which one should you use?
The standard form 你 is the most common and general way to say 'you'. In contrast, 您 is used to show respect to elders, superiors or customers. For the Hokkien language, 汝 serves as a literary form.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
你 is the informal and most common version. 您 is the most formal and respectful way to say 'you' in Chinese. When addressing multiple people politely, the plural form 您們 is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Dungan, the word ни is used. In Hokkien, you may use 你 or the literary form 汝 (pronounced lí or lú).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the singular 'you' (你) into the plural 'you all' (你们), add the suffix 们 (men).
How do you pronounce it?
/ni²¹⁴/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 您住在哪里？Where do you live?This sentence is useful for asking someone about their residence using the formal 您.Tatoeba #393584 by GlossaMatik, translation #370708 by saeb
- 你记日记吗？Do you keep a diary?This sentence is useful for asking about a habit using the common 你.Tatoeba #396625 by GlossaMatik, translation #15872 by CK
- 您可以走了。You may go.This sentence is useful for giving permission using the formal 您.Tatoeba #396894 by GlossaMatik, translation #518553 by CK
- Nín hǎo, qǐngwèn nín guì xìng? (您好，请问您贵姓?)Hello, may I ask for your honorable surname?
- Nǐ xiànzài zěnme yàng? (你现在怎么样?)How are you doing now?
- 10969 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
俊杰 and 雨婷 are talking at a coffee shop.
- 俊杰 Junjie你喝什么？nǐ hē shénme?What are you drinking?
- 雨婷 Yuting我喝热茶。wǒ hē rè chá.I am drinking hot tea.
- 俊杰 Junjie你饿吗？nǐ è ma?Are you hungry?
- 雨婷 Yuting我不饿。wǒ bù è.I am not hungry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries 你, 您, 你, 汝, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 你, 您, 汝, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
