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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing plural marker with 们 (men)

    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Pronoun/Human Noun + 们

    Explanation

    们 (men) is a suffix attached to personal pronouns and certain human nouns to indicate plurality. For example, 你 (you) becomes 你们 (you all), and 朋友 (friend) becomes 朋友们 (friends). It is only used with people, never with animals or objects in standard usage.

    Examples

    • 同学们都在教室里等着。

      Tóngxuémen dōu zài jiàoshì lǐ děng zhe.

      The classmates are all waiting in the classroom.

    • 你们先走吧，我等一会儿。

      Nǐmen xiān zǒu ba, wǒ děng yīhuìr.

      You all go ahead — I'll wait a bit.

    • 朋友们给她办了一个生日派对。

      Péngyǒumen gěi tā bàn le yīgè shēngrì pàiduì.

      Her friends threw her a birthday party.

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