biérén: 别人 - Other people, others, another person

• Keywords: 别人, biérén, bie ren, other people in Chinese, someone else in Chinese, others Chinese meaning, Chinese pronoun, how to say others in Mandarin, 别人 vs 其他人, 别人 meaning
• Summary: “别人” (biérén) is a fundamental Chinese pronoun meaning “other people,” “others,” or “someone else.” It's essential for everyday conversation, used to refer to anyone who is not the speaker or listener. This page explores the core meaning of 别人, its cultural significance in a collectivist society, and how to use it correctly in various contexts, from casual chats to making social comparisons. Learn the key differences between 别人, 其他人 (qítā rén), and 人家 (rénjiā) to avoid common mistakes and speak more like a native.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bié rén
• Part of Speech: Pronoun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A general term for any person or people other than oneself or the person being addressed.
• In a Nutshell: Think of “别人” as the default, all-purpose word for “someone else” or “other people.” If you're talking about a person who isn't “I,” “you,” or a specific person you can name (like “he” or “she”), “别人” is the word you need. It's a way of referring to an indefinite person or the general “other.”

• 别 (bié): The primary meaning of this character is “other” or “to separate.” You also see it in words like “别的” (biéde - other) and as a negative command, “别动!” (bié dòng! - Don't move!), which implies separating oneself from an action.
• 人 (rén): This simple and common character means “person” or “people.” It's a pictogram of a person walking.

The combination is very logical: 别 (other) + 人 (person) = 别人 (other person/people).

While “别人” simply translates to “other people,” its frequency and context reveal a core aspect of Chinese culture: a heightened awareness of the group. In many Western, individualistic cultures, the focus is often on the self (“What do *I* want?”). In China, there is often a stronger consideration for the collective. The phrase “别人的看法” (biérén de kànfǎ - other people's opinions) carries significant weight. Actions are often weighed against how they will be perceived by family, neighbors, colleagues, and society at large. This is tied to the concepts of 面子 (miànzi - face/social prestige) and maintaining social harmony. A classic example is the “mythical” child known as “别人家的孩子” (biérén jiā de háizi - the child from another family). Parents in China often use this phrase to compare their own child's achievements to those of others, creating a powerful, collective-based social pressure. This contrasts with the Western ideal of focusing on an individual child's unique path, highlighting how “别人” serves as a constant, external benchmark in Chinese society.

“别人” is used constantly in all registers of spoken Mandarin, from family discussions to workplace conversations.

It's the standard way to talk about things belonging to or done by someone else.

• `这是别人的，不是我的。` (Zhè shì biérén de, búshì wǒ de.) - This is someone else's, not mine.
• `我听别人说这个饭店很好吃。` (Wǒ tīng biérén shuō zhège fàndiàn hěn hǎochī.) - I heard from others that this restaurant is delicious.

It's often used to encourage consideration for others or to warn about social consequences.

• `在图书馆里，说话小声点，不要影响别人。` (Zài túshūguǎn lǐ, shuōhuà xiǎoshēng diǎn, búyào yǐngxiǎng biérén.) - In the library, speak quietly and don't affect other people.
• `你这样做，别人会怎么想？` (Nǐ zhèyàng zuò, biérén huì zěnme xiǎng?) - If you do it this way, what will other people think?

As mentioned in the cultural context, “别人” is a key ingredient in comparisons, which can feel critical.

• `你看看别人，都找到工作了，你呢？` (Nǐ kànkan biérén, dōu zhǎodào gōngzuò le, nǐ ne?) - Look at others, they've all found jobs, what about you?

Example 1:

• 这是别人的书，你别乱动。
• Pinyin: Zhè shì biérén de shū, nǐ bié luàn dòng.
• English: This is someone else's book, don't touch it.
• Analysis: A simple, direct use of “别人” to indicate possession by an unspecified “other person.”

Example 2:

• 我们应该学会尊重别人。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi xuéhuì zūnzhòng biérén.
• English: We should learn to respect other people.
• Analysis: “别人” is used here as a general concept, “others,” in a sentence expressing a moral or social value.

Example 3:

• 不要总拿自己的孩子和别人家的孩子比较。
• Pinyin: Búyào zǒng ná zìjǐ de háizi hé biérén jiā de háizi bǐjiào.
• English: Don't always compare your own child with other people's children.
• Analysis: This sentence directly addresses the cultural phenomenon of social comparison, using the classic “别人家” (other people's family/home) structure.

Example 4:

• 他这个人很自私，从来不考虑别人的感受。
• Pinyin: Tā zhège rén hěn zìsī, cónglái bù kǎolǜ biérén de gǎnshòu.
• English: He is a very selfish person; he never considers other people's feelings.
• Analysis: Here, “别人” is used in a negative or critical context to describe someone's character flaw.

Example 5:

• 别人都去了，就差你了。
• Pinyin: Biérén dōu qù le, jiù chà nǐ le.
• English: Everyone else has gone, we're just waiting for you.
• Analysis: In this context, “别人” functions like “everyone else” in the group, creating a slight social pressure to join in.

Example 6:

• 帮助别人是一件快乐的事情。
• Pinyin: Bāngzhù biérén shì yí jiàn kuàilè de shìqing.
• English: Helping others is a joyful thing.
• Analysis: A positive and general statement about altruism. “别人” refers to people in general who are in need of help.

Example 7:

• 这件事你不要告诉别人。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiàn shì nǐ búyào gàosù biérén.
• English: Don't tell anyone else about this matter.
• Analysis: “别人” is used to mean “anyone else,” making it a perfect word for telling a secret.

Example 8:

• 他总是把责任推给别人。
• Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì bǎ zérèn tuī gěi biérén.
• English: He always pushes the responsibility onto other people.
• Analysis: The structure “推给别人” (tuī gěi biérén) is a common collocation meaning “to shift the blame to others.”

Example 9:

• 你穿什么衣服是你的自由，不用在意别人的眼光。
• Pinyin: Nǐ chuān shénme yīfu shì nǐ de zìyóu, búyòng zàiyì biérén de yǎnguāng.
• English: What you wear is your freedom, you don't need to care about other people's judgment (lit. “other people's gaze”).
• Analysis: This sentence pushes back against the cultural pressure to conform, directly addressing the concept of “别人的眼光” (other people's gaze/judgment).

Example 10:

• 如果自己做不好，就不要批评别人。
• Pinyin: Rúguǒ zìjǐ zuò bù hǎo, jiù búyào pīpíng biérén.
• English: If you can't do it well yourself, then don't criticize others.
• Analysis: A classic sentence structure contrasting “自己” (zìjǐ - oneself) with its direct counterpart, “别人” (biérén - others).

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between “别人” and “其他人”. 别人 (biérén) vs. 其他人 (qítā rén)

• 别人 (biérén): “Other people” in a general, indefinite sense. It means “someone else,” “another person,” or “people in general.” You use it when you are not referring to the remainder of a specific, defined group.
  • Example: `不要拿别人的东西。` (Búyào ná biérén de dōngxi.) - Don't take someone else's things. (We don't know whose things).
• 其他人 (qítā rén): “The other people” or “the rest of the people” in a specific, defined group. You use it when you have already defined a group and are now referring to the remaining members.
  • Example: `会议室里有五个人。小王走了，其他人还在开会。` (Huìyìshì lǐ yǒu wǔ ge rén. Xiǎo Wáng zǒu le, qítā rén hái zài kāihuì.) - There were five people in the meeting room. Xiao Wang left, and the other people are still in the meeting.
  • Incorrect: `…别人还在开会。` This would be unnatural because you are talking about the rest of a specific group of five.

Mistake: Using `别人` instead of `他们` (tāmen - they/them) If you have already mentioned specific people, use “他们” (tāmen) to refer back to them, not “别人”.

• Context: `我昨天见到了张老师和李老师。` (I saw Teacher Zhang and Teacher Li yesterday.)
• Incorrect: `别人都很好。` (Biérén dōu hěn hǎo.)
• Correct: `他们都很好。` (Tāmen dōu hěn hǎo.) - They are both well.
  • Using “别人” here would imply “other people (not Zhang and Li) are well,” which changes the meaning completely.

• 其他人 (qítā rén) - The most common point of comparison. Means “the other people” or “the remainder” of a specific, defined group.
• 自己 (zìjǐ) - The direct antonym of 别人, meaning “oneself” or “myself/yourself/himself.”
• 人家 (rénjiā) - A colloquial and very nuanced term. It can mean “other people” (like 别人), but also “I/me” (in a cute, complaining, or coquettish way), or “that person's home/family.” Its meaning is highly dependent on context.
• 他人 (tārén) - A more formal and literary equivalent of 别人. You'll see it in written documents, legal text, or philosophical discussions, but rarely in casual conversation.
• 大家 (dàjiā) - “Everybody” or “everyone.” It is inclusive, meaning it includes the speaker and/or the listener. 别人 is exclusive—it's everyone *but* you/me.
• 外人 (wàirén) - An “outsider.” This term implies a strong in-group/out-group distinction (e.g., non-family members, people outside a company). It has a much stronger sense of exclusion than 别人.
• 公众 (gōngzhòng) - “The public.” This is a formal term used in media, politics, and sociology to refer to the general population as a whole.