Pronouns: 别人, 大家, 它, 咱们, 自己
人称代词：别人、大家、它、它们、咱、咱们、自己
Refer to others, everyone, animals/things, and oneself using expanded pronouns
These pronouns replace specific nouns. They function like 他/她/你 but cover broader or more specific referents: other people, everyone, animals/things, "us" (inclusive), and oneself.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Pronouns: 别人, 大家, 它, 咱们, 自己 (人称代词：别人、大家、它、它们、咱、咱们、自己)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 人称代词：别人、大家、它、它们、咱、咱们、自己 pattern
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Understanding 人称代词：别人、大家、它、它们、咱、咱们、自己
In HSK 1, you learned 我, 你, 他, 她, and their plural forms. Now your pronoun toolkit gets much richer. 别人 means "other people" — it is abstract, not pointing at anyone specific. 大家 means "everyone" — use it to address a group warmly. 它 is for animals and objects (not people). 咱们 is a special "we" that INCLUDES the listener — while 我们 can sometimes exclude the listener, 咱们 always means "you and I together." And 自己 means "oneself" — it adds emphasis or reflexive meaning, like "do it yourself" or "believe in yourself." These pronouns let you speak more naturally about groups, animals, and self-reliance.
Key Points
- 别人 (biérén) = "other people / someone else" — not a specific person.
- 大家 (dàjiā) = "everyone / everybody" — warm, inclusive address.
- 它 (tā) = "it" — for animals and objects. Plural: 它们.
- 咱 (zán) / 咱们 (zánmen) = "we" (definitely including you) — northern Chinese, very warm.
- 自己 (zìjǐ) = "oneself / yourself / myself" — adds emphasis or reflexive meaning.
- 咱们 vs. 我们: 咱们 ALWAYS includes the listener; 我们 can be ambiguous.
- 自己 often pairs with another pronoun: 我自己 (myself), 你自己 (yourself), 他自己 (himself).
咱们 is especially common in northern China and Beijing dialect. It creates a strong sense of togetherness — 咱们是朋友 (We are friends, you and I) feels warmer than 我们是朋友. Using 咱们 with Chinese friends immediately makes you sound more intimate and natural.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我想听听别人的意见。
I want to hear other people's opinions.
大家一起唱歌吧。
Let's all sing together!
那个书包很好看，我喜欢它的颜色。
That backpack is nice — I like its color.
我家有猫有狗，它们都是我的朋友。
My family has a cat and a dog — they are all my friends.
咱一起走吧。
Let's go together (you and me).
你一定要相信自己。
You must believe in yourself.
自己的事自己做。
Handle your own business yourself.
A common saying about self-reliance
明天咱们去动物园，怎么样？
How about we go to the zoo tomorrow?
Common Mistakes
Use 它 for animals and objects, not 她 (which is for female humans).
When the subject and object are the same person, use 自己 (oneself), not the regular pronoun again.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
自己 is your independence word — 自己来 (I will do it myself), 自己想 (think for yourself).
Use 大家 to address a group: 大家好！(Hello everyone!) is the standard Chinese greeting for groups.
Remember: 它 for animals/things, 他 for males, 她 for females. They all sound the same (tā) but are written differently.
咱们 is a friendship builder — using it with Chinese speakers makes you sound like an insider.
Homework
Write a short paragraph about your pets or belongings using 它/它们. Then write five sentences about things you do yourself (自己) and things everyone should do together (大家/咱们).
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