新人

• Pinyin: xīn rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 新 = 亲 (close) + 斤 (axe), originally meaning to cut firewood (new cut); 人 = pictograph of a person

Meaning

Newcomer; newlywed couple; new talent. A person new to a field, or a bride and groom.

Has two main meanings: (1) A newcomer or new employee in a workplace or field. (2) The bride and groom at a wedding, often used in the plural sense. Context determines which meaning applies. Related: 新人培训 (new employee training).

Examples

1. 作为职场新人，他虚心向前辈请教，进步很快。 As a newcomer to the workplace, he humbly asked seniors for advice and improved quickly.
2. 祝新人百年好合，永结同心！ Wishing the newlyweds a hundred years of happiness and eternal unity!
3. 娱乐圈每年都有很多新人出道，但能红的只是少数。 Many new talents debut in the entertainment industry every year, but only a few become popular.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, wedding, entertainment

Tone: welcoming

Do Say

• 公司来了几个新人。(A few newcomers joined the company.)
• 请大家举杯祝福新人！(Please raise your glasses to toast the newlyweds!)

Don't Say

• 他是一个新人人 — 新人本身就指人，不需要再加'人'

Origin & History

Compound of 新 (new) + 人 (person). A straightforward term for someone who is new.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal