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Using the classifier 员 (yuán) for members or personnel
Structure
Noun + 员
Explanation
The character 员 (yuán) functions as a suffix meaning 'member' or 'personnel.' It is attached to other words to indicate a person in a specific role, such as 演员 (actor), 运动员 (athlete), or 服务员 (waiter). It is one of the most common suffixes for describing people by occupation or role.
Examples
她是一名优秀的运动员。
Tā shì yì míng yōuxiù de yùndòngyuán.
She is an outstanding athlete.
请叫服务员过来点菜。
Qǐng jiào fúwùyuán guòlái diǎncài.
Please call the waiter over to order.
这位演员的表演非常自然。
Zhè wèi yǎnyuán de biǎoyǎn fēicháng zìrán.
This actor's performance is very natural.
她是一名优秀的运动员。
Tā shì yī míng yōuxiù de yùndòngyuán.
She is an outstanding athlete.
请叫服务员过来点菜。
Qǐng jiào fúwùyuán guòlái diǎncài.
Please call the waiter over to order.
这位演员的表演非常自然。
Zhè wèi yǎnyuán de biǎoyǎn fēicháng zìrán.
This actor's performance is very natural.