咱们

• Pinyin: zán men
• Hanzi breakdown: 咱 = 口 (mouth) + 自 (self); 们 = 亻(person) + 门 (gate, phonetic)

Meaning

We; us (inclusive). Refers to a group that includes both the speaker and the listener.

The inclusive first-person plural pronoun in northern Mandarin. Unlike 我们 which can be either inclusive or exclusive, 咱们 always includes the listener. Widely used in spoken Chinese, especially in northern China. In formal writing, 我们 is preferred.

Examples

1. 咱们一起去看电影吧。 Let's go see a movie together.
2. 咱们班有三十个学生。 Our class has thirty students.
3. 明天咱们几点见面？ What time shall we meet tomorrow?

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, friends, daily life

Tone: friendly

Do Say

• 咱们周末去爬山怎么样？(How about we go hiking this weekend?)
• 这是咱们的教室。(This is our classroom.)

Don't Say

• 在正式演讲中说咱们。(Don't use 咱们 in formal speeches or writing — use 我们 instead for formal contexts.)

Origin & History

咱 (we, inclusive) + 们 (plural suffix for pronouns). An extended form of 咱, adding the standard plural marker.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal