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nín

you (polite form)

Usage note

字的礼貌说法,表示对对方的尊重。和老师、长辈或客人说话时常用。

nín shì nín zì de lǐ mào shuō fǎ, biǎo shì duì duì fāng de zūn zhòng。 hé lǎo shī 、 zhǎng bèi huò kè rén shuō huà shí cháng yòng。

您 is the polite form of you and shows respect. It is often used when speaking to teachers, elders, or guests.

Context note

常出现在问候、请求帮助和礼貌提问里。

nín cháng chū xiàn zài wèn hòu 、 qǐng qiú bāng zhù hé lǐ mào tí wèn lǐ。

您 often appears in greetings, asking for help, and polite questions.

5 examples

好,老师。
nín hǎo, lǎo shī。
Hello, teacher.
坐下。
qǐng nín zuò xià。
Please sit down.
想喝茶吗?
nín xiǎng hē chá ma?
Would you like to drink tea?
请问叫什么名字?
qǐng wèn nín jiào shén me míng zì?
May I ask what your name is?
这是给的书。
zhè shì gěi nín de shū。
This book is for you.

5 mini stories

好,爷爷。请坐下休息。我们给倒水。
nín hǎo, yé ye。 qǐng nín zuò xià xiū xi。 wǒ men gěi nín dǎo shuǐ。
Hello, Grandpa. Please sit down and rest. We will pour you some water.
想先看这本书吗?我可以帮翻页。
nín xiǎng xiān kàn zhè běn shū ma? wǒ kě yǐ bāng nín fān yè。
Would you like to look at this book first? I can help you turn the pages.
请问要去哪儿?我可以带过去。
qǐng wèn nín yào qù nǎ ér? wǒ kě yǐ dài nín guò qù。
May I ask where you want to go? I can take you there.
喜欢喝牛奶吗?我去给拿一杯。
nín xǐ huan hē niú nǎi ma? wǒ qù gěi nín ná yì bēi。
Do you like drinking milk? I will get you a cup.
这是给的礼物。希望会喜欢。
zhè shì gěi nín de lǐ wù。 xī wàng nín huì xǐ huan。
This is a gift for you. I hope you like it.

Mini dialogue

问候长辈

A
奶奶,好!
Nǎinai, nín hǎo!
Grandma, hello! (polite)
B
你好,乖孩子。
Nǐ hǎo, guāi háizi.
Hello, good child.

请问老师

A
老师,能帮我吗?
Lǎoshī, nín néng bāng wǒ ma?
Teacher, can you help me? (polite)
B
当然可以。
Dāngrán kěyǐ.
Of course.

Related words and contrasts

contrast
you (informal)

您 is polite, 你 is casual. Use 您 for elders or teachers.

Explore more words