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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'adults' with 大人 (dàrén)

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    大人 + 们 + Verb Phrase

    Explanation

    大人 (dàrén) means "adults" or "grown-ups," used to distinguish older people from children. It is a common and informal way to refer to adults in everyday speech. For example, 大人们在湖边烤烧烤 means "the adults were barbecuing by the lake."

    Examples

    • 小时候觉得大人什么都懂，长大了才知道不是。

      Xiǎoshíhou juéde dàrén shénme dōu dǒng, zhǎngdà le cái zhīdào bùshì.

      As a child, I thought adults knew everything; only after growing up did I realize they don't.

    • 这部电影太吓人了，小孩不适合看，大人看着都害怕。

      Zhè bù diànyǐng tài xiàrén le, xiǎohái bù shìhé kàn, dàrén kànzhe dōu hàipà.

      This movie is so scary — it's not suitable for kids, and even adults find it frightening.

    • 大人说话的时候，小朋友不要插嘴。

      Dàrén shuōhuà de shíhou, xiǎopéngyou bùyào chāzuǐ.

      When adults are talking, children shouldn't interrupt.