其他

• Pinyin: qí tā
• Hanzi breakdown: 其 = originally a pictograph of a winnowing basket; 他 = 亻(person) + 也 (also)

Meaning

Other; the rest; else. Refers to additional people, things, or matters beyond what has been mentioned.

A pronoun used to refer to anything not yet specified or beyond the current topic. Works like 'other' or 'else' in English. In formal writing, 其它 is sometimes used for non-human referents, but 其他 is standard for all uses.

Examples

1. 除了这个以外，你还有其他问题吗？ Apart from this, do you have any other questions?
2. 其他同学都已经走了。 The other classmates have all left.
3. 我没有其他事情了。 I don't have any other matters.

Usage Guide

Context: questions, listing, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你还有其他想法吗？(Do you have any other ideas?)
• 其他人呢？(What about the others?)

Don't Say

• 在口语中别的比其他更自然 (In casual speech, 别的 is more natural than 其他 — 其他 is slightly more formal; both are correct but 别的 sounds friendlier)

Origin & History

其 (qí, that/its, classical pronoun) + 他 (tā, other/another). A literary-origin word that has become standard in modern Chinese for 'other.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal