诸位

• Pinyin: zhū wèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 诸 = 讠(speech) + 者 (person); 位 = 亻(person) + 立 (stand), a person's place

Meaning

Everyone; all of you; ladies and gentlemen (formal address).

A formal and respectful way to address a group of people, commonly used in speeches, meetings, and formal occasions. More literary and polite than 大家. Often appears at the beginning of addresses or announcements.

Examples

1. 诸位来宾，感谢大家今天拨冗出席这次活动。 Distinguished guests, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this event today.
2. 诸位同事，我们公司即将迎来重大变革。 Dear colleagues, our company is about to undergo major changes.
3. 诸位请注意，飞机即将降落，请系好安全带。 Attention everyone, the plane is about to land, please fasten your seatbelts.

Usage Guide

Context: speeches, meetings, announcements

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 诸位好，欢迎参加今天的研讨会。(Hello everyone, welcome to today's seminar.)
• 诸位有什么问题可以提出来。(If any of you have questions, please raise them.)

Don't Say

• 诸位，咱们去吃火锅吧！(Too formal for casual invitations — use 大家 or 各位)

Origin & History

Compound of 诸 (all, various) and 位 (person, measure word for people). 诸 historically meant 'various' or 'all,' and 位 is a respectful measure word for people.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal