Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to 'you' with 你 (nǐ)

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    你 + Verb Phrase

    Explanation

    The pronoun 你 (nǐ) is the standard second-person singular pronoun meaning 'you' in Chinese. It is used in both casual and moderately formal contexts to address one person directly. For polite or formal situations, the honorific form 您 (nín) is preferred.

    Examples

    • 你今天下班以后有空吗？

      nǐ jīntiān xiàbān yǐhòu yǒu kòng ma?

      Are you free after work today?

    • 这件事你自己决定就好，我支持你。

      zhè jiàn shì nǐ zìjǐ juédìng jiù hǎo, wǒ zhīchí nǐ.

      You can decide this yourself; I support you.

    • 你觉得我们应该先去哪儿？

      nǐ juéde wǒmen yīnggāi xiān qù nǎr?

      Where do you think we should go first?

    Referring to 'you' with 你 (nǐ) | Chinese Grammar