rénjia: 人家 - Other people, I/Me (coyly), He/She/They

Keywords: 人家, renjia, meaning of renjia, how to use renjia, Chinese word for other people, using renjia for I, Chinese pronouns, sājiāo, 撒娇, Mandarin grammar, HSK 4 vocabulary

Summary: Understand the complex and versatile Chinese pronoun 人家 (rénjia), a word that goes far beyond its literal meaning of “person's house.” This guide explains its three main uses: as a way to say “other people,” as a specific “he/she/they,” and most uniquely, as a coy or complaining way to say “I/me.” Learn the cultural context, see practical examples, and avoid common mistakes to master this essential HSK 4 term and sound more like a native speaker.

Pinyin (with tone marks): rénjia

Part of Speech: Pronoun

HSK Level: 4

Concise Definition: A flexible pronoun meaning “other people,” “he/she/they” (referring to a specific person), or “I/me” (in a cute, coy, or complaining manner).

In a Nutshell: “人家” is a chameleon word that changes its meaning based on context and tone. At its simplest, it means “other people,” often for comparison. But its real nuance comes from its use as a substitute for “I” (`我`) or “he/she” (`他/她`). When used for “I,” it creates emotional distance, making a statement sound softer, cuter, or more like a gentle complaint. When used for “he/she,” it refers to a person who was just mentioned, often with a sense of familiarity or empathy.

人 (rén): Person, people. This is one of the simplest and most fundamental characters, a pictograph of a person walking.

家 (jiā): Family, home, household. This character is an ideograph showing a roof (宀) over a pig (豕). In ancient China, a pig in the house was a sign of a settled, prosperous home.

Together, 人家 literally means “person's home” or “household,” which is one of its less common, but still valid, meanings. Over time, it evolved to refer to the people in that household, then to “other people” in general, and eventually took on its more complex pronominal roles.

Indirectness and Face (`面子`): Chinese culture often favors indirect communication to maintain harmony and save face. Using “人家” to mean “I” is a perfect example of this. By referring to oneself in the third person, a speaker can soften a request, express a complaint, or show vulnerability without the directness and potential confrontation of using “我 (wǒ)”. It creates a subtle emotional buffer.

撒娇 (sājiāo) - The Art of “Acting Cute”: The use of “人家” for “I” is deeply connected to the concept of `撒娇 (sājiāo)`, which is a way of acting playfully cute, coquettish, or like a spoiled child to get what you want from a loved one. While a Westerner might say directly, “You hurt my feelings,” a person (typically a woman or child) in China might say, “人家好伤心 (rénjia hǎo shāngxīn)” - “I'm so sad,” which sounds much softer and more endearing.

Comparison with Western Culture: In English, referring to oneself in the third person (“Bob is not happy about this”) often sounds arrogant, strange, or is used for comedic effect (like Elmo from Sesame Street). In Chinese, using “人家” is a common and socially understood way to manage emotions and relationships in informal settings, especially with partners, family, or close friends. It's a tool for emotional expression, not an indicator of ego.

别人 (biérén) - A more neutral and general term for “other people” or “others.”

自己 (zìjǐ) - Oneself; the direct antonym to `人家` when it means “other people.”

我 (wǒ) - I, me. The standard first-person pronoun that `人家` can replace for a softer, cuter, or complaining tone.

他 / 她 (tā) - He / She. The standard third-person pronouns that `人家` can replace when referring to someone just mentioned.

撒娇 (sājiāo) - The act of being coquettish, cute, or acting spoiled to show affection or get something you want. This behavior is the primary context for using `人家` to mean “I”.

大家 (dàjiā) - Everybody, everyone. A pronoun for a collective group that includes the speaker.

个人 (gèrén) - Individual. Can be used to mean “I” in formal contexts (e.g., “personally, I think…”).

面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social standing, prestige, and honor. The desire to preserve `面子` is one reason for the indirect communication style that `人家` facilitates.