nǐmen: 你们 - You (plural)

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• Summary: Learn how to say “you” (plural) in Mandarin Chinese with 你们 (nǐmen). This DokuWiki entry covers the core meaning, character breakdown, and cultural context of this essential HSK 1 pronoun. Discover practical examples, common mistakes, and the difference between the standard 你们 (nǐmen) and the formal 您们 (nínmen) to master addressing groups of people in any situation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): nǐmen
• Part of Speech: Pronoun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: “You”, used when speaking to two or more people.
• In a Nutshell: 你们 (nǐmen) is the direct and standard way to say “you” to a group of people in Mandarin. If you know that 你 (nǐ) means “you” (one person), just think of the 们 (men) as the “plural-maker” for people. It's the equivalent of saying “you all,” “y'all,” or “you guys” in English to make it clear you're not just talking to one individual.

• 你 (nǐ): This character means “you” (singular). It is composed of the person radical `亻` on the left, indicating it relates to a person, and the character `尔 (ěr)` on the right, which provides the sound and originally also meant “you”.
• 们 (men): This is a crucial suffix in Chinese that indicates plurality for pronouns and nouns referring to people. It features the person radical `亻` and the character `门 (mén)`, meaning “door,” which here serves mainly a phonetic purpose. It essentially functions like adding “-s” to a noun in English, but specifically for pronouns and people (e.g., wǒ/I → wǒmen/we; tā/he → tāmen/they).

Combining them, 你 (you) + 们 (plural suffix for people) = 你们 (you, plural). It's a very logical construction.

While 你们 (nǐmen) is a straightforward pronoun, its usage highlights a key feature of the Chinese language: clarity in social address. Unlike the English “you,” which can be ambiguously singular or plural, 你们 (nǐmen) is *always* plural. This removes any guesswork. The most significant cultural aspect arises when comparing 你们 (nǐmen) to its polite counterpart, 您们 (nínmen).

• 你们 (nǐmen): This is the default, neutral, and universally appropriate way to address a group. It can be used with friends, colleagues, family, or strangers. It carries no specific tone of formality or informality on its own.
• 您们 (nínmen): This is the plural form of 您 (nín), the polite “you”. It is used to show a high level of respect when addressing a group of elders, teachers, honored guests, or high-level clients. For example, a student might address a group of visiting professors with 您们 (nínmen).

This distinction is crucial. Using 你们 when 您们 is expected can seem slightly impolite, while using 您们 in a casual setting can sound overly formal and create distance. This direct encoding of respect into pronouns is a fundamental aspect of Chinese social etiquette that differs from English, where politeness is often conveyed through tone and supplemental words (“Sirs,” “Ladies and Gentlemen”).

你们 (nǐmen) is one of the most common words you'll hear and use in China.

• Casual Conversation: This is the go-to term for addressing friends, family, or any group of peers.
  • “What are you guys up to this weekend?”
  • `你们这个周末干什么？(Nǐmen zhège zhōumò gànshénme?)`
• In the Classroom: Teachers constantly use 你们 to address their students.
  • “Class, please open your books.”
  • `同学们，请你们打开书。(Tóngxuémen, qǐng nǐmen dǎkāi shū.)`
• Business and Service: It's used in meetings, presentations, and service encounters to address a group of customers or colleagues.
  • “Do you all have any questions?”
  • `你们有什么问题吗？(Nǐmen yǒu shé me wèntí ma?)`
• Online and Social Media: In group chats or comment sections, 你们 is used to reply to multiple people at once.

The term is neutral and its formality is determined by the context and the words surrounding it.

• Example 1:
  • 你们好！
  • Pinyin: Nǐmen hǎo!
  • English: Hello everyone! / Hello! (to a group)
  • Analysis: This is the standard greeting for more than one person, equivalent to `你好 (nǐ hǎo)` for a single person. It's one of the first phrases any beginner learns.
• Example 2:
  • 你们是哪国人？
  • Pinyin: Nǐmen shì nǎ guó rén?
  • English: What country are you all from?
  • Analysis: A common and direct question when getting to know a group of foreigners. The use of 你们 makes it clear the question is for the entire group to answer.
• Example 3:
  • 老师想知道你们的答案。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī xiǎng zhīdào nǐmen de dā'àn.
  • English: The teacher wants to know your (plural) answers.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the possessive form, `你们的 (nǐmen de)`, which means “your” or “yours” when referring to something belonging to a group.
• Example 4:
  • 你们在聊什么？这么开心！
  • Pinyin: Nǐmen zài liáo shénme? Zhème kāixīn!
  • English: What are you all talking about? You seem so happy!
  • Analysis: A natural, friendly way to join a conversation. It shows genuine interest in the group's activity.
• Example 5:
  • 我请你们吃饭，怎么样？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ qǐng nǐmen chīfàn, zěnmeyàng?
  • English: How about I treat you all to a meal?
  • Analysis: `请 (qǐng)` here means “to treat” or “to invite”. This is a common social phrase, and 你们 is the object of the invitation.
• Example 6:
  • 这件事，你们自己决定吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn shì, nǐmen zìjǐ juédìng ba.
  • English: Regarding this matter, you all decide for yourselves.
  • Analysis: `自己 (zìjǐ)` means “oneself”. `你们自己 (nǐmen zìjǐ)` emphasizes that the decision should be made by the group, without outside interference.
• Example 7:
  • 如果你们需要帮助，随时告诉我。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐmen xūyào bāngzhù, suíshí gàosù wǒ.
  • English: If you all need help, let me know anytime.
  • Analysis: A helpful and polite offer. This sentence structure is very common in both professional and personal contexts.
• Example 8:
  • 你们两个别吵了！
  • Pinyin: Nǐmen liǎng ge bié chǎo le!
  • English: You two, stop arguing!
  • Analysis: This shows that 你们 can be used for a group as small as two people. `两个 (liǎng ge)` specifies the number.
• Example 9:
  • 非常感谢你们的到来。
  • Pinyin: Fēicháng gǎnxiè nǐmen de dàolái.
  • English: Thank you all very much for coming.
  • Analysis: A formal expression of gratitude, often heard at the beginning or end of an event, speech, or meeting.
• Example 10:
  • 你们的计划听起来很棒！
  • Pinyin: Nǐmen de jìhuà tīng qǐlái hěn bàng!
  • English: Your (plural) plan sounds great!
  • Analysis: A positive and encouraging response to a proposal made by a group.

• Mistake 1: Using 你 (nǐ) for a Group. The most common error for English speakers is to use the singular `你 (nǐ)` when addressing multiple people, because “you” is plural in English.
  • `*Incorrect:*` (To a group of friends) `你好！`
  • `*Reason:*` `你好` is for one person only. It can feel like you are singling someone out.
  • `*Correct:*` (To a group of friends) `你们好！`
• Mistake 2: Confusing 你们 (nǐmen) and 您们 (nínmen). While 你们 is the all-purpose plural “you”, using it when deep respect is required can be a faux pas.
  • `*Context:*` A young entrepreneur presenting to a board of senior investors.
  • `*Slightly Impolite:*` `欢迎你们！(Huānyíng nǐmen!)` - Welcome!
  • `*More Respectful:*` `欢迎您们！(Huānyíng nínmen!)` - Welcome! (with respect)
  • `*Note:*` Some argue `您们 (nínmen)` is grammatically awkward, and prefer using `各位 (gèwèi)` (everyone/ladies and gentlemen) in formal settings. However, `您们` is still widely understood and used to convey respect to a group.
• False Friend: “You”
  • While 你们 translates to “you” (plural), remember that the English “you” can be singular. Always check if you're addressing one person (`你/您`) or multiple people (`你们/您们`) before speaking. This is a distinction Chinese forces you to make that English does not.

• 你 (nǐ) - The singular, informal/neutral “you”. The basis of 你们.
• 您 (nín) - The singular, formal/polite “you”. Used to show respect to one person.
• 您们 (nínmen) - The plural, formal/polite “you”. The respectful version of 你们.
• 我们 (wǒmen) - We / us. The first-person plural pronoun.
• 他们 (tāmen) - They / them. Used for a group of all males or a mixed-gender group.
• 她们 (tāmen) - They / them. Used for a group of all females.
• 它们 (tāmen) - They / them. Used for a group of inanimate objects or animals.
• 大家 (dàjiā) - Everybody / everyone. A common, friendly alternative to 你们 when addressing a crowd, e.g., `大家好! (dàjiā hǎo!)`.
• 各位 (gèwèi) - Ladies and gentlemen / everyone. A more formal alternative to 你们 or 大家, often used to begin a speech, e.g., `各位来宾 (gèwèi láibīn)` - “distinguished guests”.