Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
您nín(nin2)
您 (nín) is a polite and honorific form of 'you' used in Chinese. It is typically employed in formal situations or when addressing someone of higher social status, showing respect and courtesy. Unlike the informal 你 (nǐ), 您 is essential in maintaining politeness in conversations, especially in professional or elder-respecting contexts.
Strokes11Radical心Frequency#230DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, using 您 (nín) reflects the societal emphasis on respect and hierarchy, particularly towards elders and authority figures. It is common in customer service and formal settings, showcasing the importance of courtesy in interactions.
Memory Tip
Think of 您 (nín) as a 'noble' way to say 'you.' The radical '心' (heart) suggests that when you say 您, you are speaking from the heart, showing respect. Imagine addressing a wise elder while bowing slightly, emphasizing the honor in your words.
Meanings of 您
nín(nin2)
1you (courteous, as opposed to informal 你[nǐ])
2honorific for 'you'
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 您
您Simplified
11Strokes
心Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#230Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 您
Podcast: 您
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 您
Quick Contrast
你 (nǐ) is the casual form of 'you' used among friends or peers, while 您 (nín) conveys respect and formality.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 你 (nǐ) in formal situations where 您 (nín) is appropriate, which can come off as disrespectful. Be mindful of the context and the status of the person you are addressing. 您 is often used with verbs that express actions of service or respect, such as 您好 (nín hǎo, 'hello to you').
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 您 (nín) introduces learners to the concept of formality in language. Focus on practicing its use in polite greetings and interactions with others. Connecting it with other HSK 2 words like 好 (hǎo, 'good') can help reinforce its usage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 你 (nǐ) instead of 您 (nín) in formal contexts, which can be seen as disrespectful. For example, saying '你好吗?' (nǐ hǎo ma? - 'How are you?') to a boss instead of '您好吗?' (nín hǎo ma?) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 您
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 您 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 你 represents the sound.
1The giveawayYou 你 said with affection 心
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 您? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 您?
Decomposition of 您
IDS Structure⿱你心
您Full Character
=
你ni3
top
心xin1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 您?
How to say you (courteous, as opposed to informal 你[nǐ]) in Chinese
“you (courteous, as opposed to informal 你[nǐ])” in Chinese is您nín
您 (nín) is a polite and honorific form of 'you' used in Chinese. It is typically employed in formal situations or when addressing someone of higher social status, showing respect and courtesy. Unlike the informal 你 (nǐ), 您 is essential in maintaining politeness in conversations, especially in professional or elder-respecting contexts.
When to use 您
Common mistakes include using 你 (nǐ) in formal situations where 您 (nín) is appropriate, which can come off as disrespectful. Be mindful of the context and the status of the person you are addressing. 您 is often used with verbs that express actions of service or respect, such as 您好 (nín hǎo, 'hello to you').
您 or something close to it
你 (nǐ) is the casual form of 'you' used among friends or peers, while 您 (nín) conveys respect and formality.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 你 (nǐ) instead of 您 (nín) in formal contexts, which can be seen as disrespectful. For example, saying '你好吗?' (nǐ hǎo ma? - 'How are you?') to a boss instead of '您好吗?' (nín hǎo ma?) is incorrect.
Write 您
您
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 您 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 您
您 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
In Western cultures, the concept of formality in addressing others is less pronounced; 'you' is generally used universally without honorifics, while in Chinese, using 您 (nín) signifies respect that is culturally significant.
Word Family of 您
Words Containing This Character2
您nínyou (courteous, as opposed to informal 你[nǐ])
您好hello (polite)
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 您 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 您
Use 您 when speaking to someone older, in a formal setting, or when you want to show respect.
It's uncommon; use 您 primarily in formal contexts or with acquaintances and elders.
Yes, 您 is often used in formal letters, emails, and official documents to show politeness.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 您?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
