你们

• Pinyin: nǐ men
• Hanzi breakdown: 你 = 亻(person) + 尔 (phonetic); 们 = 亻(person) + 门 (phonetic), plural suffix

Meaning

You (plural). Refers to two or more people being addressed.

The plural form of 你. Created by adding the plural suffix 们. Used when speaking to a group. In formal contexts addressing a group respectfully, some speakers use 您们, though this is less standard.

Examples

1. 你们都是学生吗？ Are you all students?
2. 你们想喝什么？ What would you all like to drink?
3. 你们家在哪里？ Where is your family's home?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, group

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你们准备好了吗？(Are you all ready?)
• 你们先走吧。(You guys go ahead.)

Don't Say

• 你们两个人们。(Redundant — don't add 人们 after 你们; 你们 is already plural and refers to people)

Origin & History

A combination of 你 (you) and 们 (plural suffix), forming the second-person plural pronoun.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal