别人

• Pinyin: bié rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 别 (other) + 人 (person) — other people

Meaning

Other people; others. Refers to people other than the speaker or the person being discussed.

A very common pronoun used to refer to people in general who are not the subject of conversation. Can mean 'other people' or 'someone else'. Often used in advice, comparisons, and social contexts.

Examples

1. 别人都去了，你也去吧。 Everyone else has gone; you should go too.
2. 不要看别人的。 Don't look at other people's work.
3. 他不喜欢和别人说话。 He doesn't like talking to other people.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, social

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 别人怎么想不重要。(What others think doesn't matter.)
• 你要尊重别人。(You should respect others.)

Don't Say

• 别人们 (Don't add 们 to 别人 — 别人 is already plural by nature)

Origin & History

Compound of 别 (other) and 人 (person) — literally 'other people'. A straightforward combination that refers to anyone outside the current subject.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal