Meanings of 行人
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Podcast: 行人
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AI Study Notes for 行人
行人 (xíngrén) vs 旅人 (lǚrén) — use 行人 specifically for pedestrians in public spaces, while 旅人 refers to travelers, often in a broader sense.
Learners often confuse 行人 with 乘客 (passenger) as both relate to travel. However, 行人 specifically implies someone walking rather than using a vehicle. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, and students should note the tone; the second tone in '行' and the second tone in '人' can be challenging.
At HSK Level 5, understanding 行人 helps link to other travel-related vocabulary such as 交通 (transportation) and 游客 (tourist). Students should focus on usage in context, such as in sentences related to urban environments or historical texts.
Students might mistakenly use 行人 to refer to any type of traveler, including those in vehicles. For example, saying '行人乘坐汽车' (pedestrians take a car) is incorrect; the correct term for passengers would be 乘客.
Pronunciation of 行人
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Jason Explains 行人 to You
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Component Characters
How to say pedestrian in Chinese
“pedestrian” in Chinese is行人
行人 refers to a pedestrian or a traveler on foot. It is commonly used to describe someone walking in a public space, as well as in formal contexts to denote officials responsible for facilitating audiences in imperial times. The term encompasses both modern and historical meanings, reflecting the evolution of travel and interaction in Chinese society.
When to use 行人
Learners often confuse 行人 with 乘客 (passenger) as both relate to travel. However, 行人 specifically implies someone walking rather than using a vehicle. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, and students should note the tone; the second tone in '行' and the second tone in '人' can be challenging.
行人 or something close to it
行人 (xíngrén) vs 旅人 (lǚrén) — use 行人 specifically for pedestrians in public spaces, while 旅人 refers to travelers, often in a broader sense.
What learners get wrong
Students might mistakenly use 行人 to refer to any type of traveler, including those in vehicles. For example, saying '行人乘坐汽车' (pedestrians take a car) is incorrect; the correct term for passengers would be 乘客.
Write 行人
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Practice writing 行人 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 行人
行人 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
雨还在下着。街上几乎没有____。远处的路灯发出昏黄的光。
The rain was still falling. There were almost no pedestrians on the street. The distant streetlights gave off a dim yellow glow.
Example Sentences for 行人 (4)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 行人
行人 refers specifically to pedestrians or those traveling on foot, while 游客 refers to tourists, who may be using various forms of transportation.
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