Chinese word

您

Pronunciation

Pinyinnín

Meaning

  • pronounyou

Example

我可以问您一个问题吗？wǒ ké yǐ wèn nín yí gè wèn tí ma

May I ask you one question?

Illustration for 您 (you)

More examples

请问您，厕所在哪里？qǐng wèn nín cè suǒ zài ná lǐ

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

Core concept

The word for the listener when the speaker adds special respect.

Common phrases

  • 谢谢您xiè xiè nín

    Thank you

  • 请问您qǐng wèn nín

    excuse me

Similar words

你nǐ: An ordinary way to address one familiar person or equal.

Definition in Chinese

表示对对方尊重的第二人称代词，常用于对长辈、客户或在正式场合称呼对方。biǎo shì duì duì fāng zūn zhòng de dì èr rén chēng dài cí cháng yòng yú duì zhǎng bèi kè hù huò zài zhèng shì chǎng hé chēng hū duì fāng

Word origin

您 (nín, "you") combines 你 (nǐ, "you") with 心 (xīn, "heart"), making the written form associate the listener with considerate feeling.

Usage tips

  • English has no separate everyday pronoun for this level of respect, so the difference often appears through titles, names, or a more formal tone.

Word lists with this word