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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
Thank you for your visit, we welcome you to come again.
13
请问，您叫什么名字？
Qǐng wèn, nín jiào shénme míngzì?
May I ask, what is your name?
14
您想喝茶还是咖啡？
Nín xiǎng hē chá háishì kāfēi?
Would you like tea or coffee?
15
您好，请问您需要帮助吗？
Nín hǎo, qǐng wèn nín xūyào bāngzhù ma?
Hello, do you need help?
16
谢谢您的光临，欢迎下次再来。
Xièxiè nín de guānglín, huānyíng xià cì zài lái.
Thank you for your visit, we welcome you to come again.
17
请问，您叫什么名字？
Qǐng wèn, nín jiào shénme míngzì?
May I ask, what is your name?
18
您想喝茶还是咖啡？
Nín xiǎng hē chá háishì kāfēi?
Would you like tea or coffee?
19
请问，您有空参加我们的会议吗？
Qǐng wèn, nín yǒu kòng cānjiā wǒmen de huìyì ma?
Excuse me, do you have time to attend our meeting?
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Cultural Notes for 您
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
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 1
Words with 您
What does 您好 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.
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