\tFrom a simple greeting to forming complex sentences, learning the Chinese character for "you" is integral to conversing in Chinese.<\/p>\n
\tHere is a quick explanation on which type of "you" to use depending on the situation, what the character symbolizes, and how to pronounce it.<\/p>\n
\tINFORMAL, FORMAL, AND PLURAL
\tThe informal way to say "you" in Chinese is \u4f60 (n\u01d0). This form of "you" is casually used to address friends, peers, anyone you have a close relationship with, and typically people who are younger than you.<\/p>\n
\t <\/p>\n
\tThe formal version of "you" is \u60a8 (nín). \u60a8 should be used when addressing elders, respected figures, and persons of higher rank or status.<\/p>\n
\tIf you are addressing multiple people at once, "you" in plural is \u4f60 \u4eec (n\u01d0 men).<\/p>\n
\tRADICALS
\tThe Chinese character \u4f60 is composed of a crown or cover (\u5196) that goes over \u5c0f, which on its own is the word for “small." The left half of the character consists of the radical: \u4ebb. This radical derives from the character \u4eba (rén) which translates to person or people. Thus, \u4ebbis the person radical which implies that the meaning of the character relates to people.<\/p>\n
\tPRONUNCIATION
\t\u4f60 (n\u01d0) is in the third tone, which takes on a falling then rising tone. When uttering the syllable, start from a high pitch, go down, and come back up.<\/p>\n
\t\u60a8 (nín) is in the second tone. This is a rising tone, which means you start from a low pitch then go upwards.<\/p>\n
\tCHARACTER EVOLUTION
\tAn earlier form of "you" in Chinese was a pictograph of a balanced load.<\/p>\n
\tThis symbol was later simplified to the character \u5c14. Eventually, the person radical was added. In its current form, \u4f60 could be read as “someone who is balanced, or of equal stature” – meaning “you.”<\/p>\n
\tMANDARIN VOCABULARY WITH N\u01cf
\tNow that you know how to write and say "you" in Chinese, it's time to apply your knowledge!<\/p>\n
\tHere are a few examples of common Chinese words and phrases that include \u4f60.<\/p>\n
\t\u4f60\u597d (n\u01d0 h\u01ceo) – Hello<\/p>\n
\t\u4f60\u81ea\u5df1 (n\u01d0 zì j\u01d0) – Yourself<\/p>\n
\t\u6211\u7231\u4f60 (w\u01d2 ài n\u01d0) – I love you<\/p>\n
\t\u8ff7\u4f60 (mí n\u01d0) – Mini (a phonetic translation)<\/p>\n
\t\u795d\u4f60\u751f\u65e5\u5feb\u4e50 (zhù n\u01d0 sh\u0113ngrì kuàilè) – Happy birthday <\/p>\n