你

• Pinyin: nǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 你 = 亻(person) + 尔 (archaic 'you,' phonetic component)

Meaning

You (singular). The standard second-person pronoun.

The most basic and common way to say 'you' in Chinese. Used in informal and semi-formal settings. For formal or respectful situations, use 您 instead. One of the very first words learned by every Chinese language student.

Examples

1. 你好！ Hello!
2. 你叫什么名字？ What is your name?
3. 你想吃什么？ What do you want to eat?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, greeting

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你好，认识你很高兴。(Hello, nice to meet you.)
• 你家在哪儿？(Where is your home?)

Don't Say

• 对长辈或上级说你。(When addressing elders, teachers, or superiors, use 您 instead of 你 to show respect)

Origin & History

The character combines 亻(person) and 尔 (you, archaic), creating the modern second-person pronoun.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal