4 phrases meaning ‘me’ in Chinese

"我 (wǒ)", in certain contexts, can be replaced by other personal pronouns. Here are 4 phrases that can be used to mean "me":

"我"在具体的语境中，往往可用其他人称代词替换。常见的表示"我"的词语有以下4种：

我们 (wǒ men)

Using "我们 (wǒ men)" instead of "我 (wǒ)" to indicate yourself can avoid the straightforward tone and show your tactfulness. For example, in spoken Chinese, "我们老王 (wǒ men lǎo wáng)", "我们老头子 (wǒ men lǎo tóu zi)" or "我们那位 (wǒ men nà wèi)" are often used to introduce one's husband or wife to others. Here, "我们 (wǒ men)" actually means "我 (wǒ)", which is milder in tone than the latter.

用"我们"代替"我"自指，避免了语气上的直率而显得婉转。例如，口语中对别人说自己的丈夫或妻子时常说"我们老王""我们老头子""我们那位"等等。其中的"我们"都指"我"。这里用"我们"比用"我"显得语气缓和一些。

Example:

我们老王习惯每天早上读报。

wǒ men lǎo wáng xí guàn měi tiān zǎo shàng dú bào.

My husband Wang is used to reading newspaper every morning.

在我们家后面矗立着一座高塔。

zài wǒ men jiā hòu miàn chù lì zhe yī zuò gāo tǎ.

A tall pagoda rises behind my house.

咱们 (zán men) / 咱 (zán)

"咱 (zán)" is often used in spoken Chinese instead of "咱们 (zán men)". Here are 3 common situations where "咱们 (zán men)" or "咱 (zán)" is used to refer to yourself:

"咱们"在口语里往往说成"咱"。用"咱们"、"咱"自指时，常见的有三种情况：

Used in a humorous way. For example:

含有"诙谐"的意味。例如：

咱们是个大老粗，说话不会拐弯抹角。

zán men shì gè dà lǎo cū, shuō huà bú huì guǎi wān mò jiǎo.

I'm an uncouth man and I will not beat about the bush.

Indicating dissatisfaction. For example:

含有"不满"的情绪。例如：

这对咱也太不公平了吧！

zhè duì zán yě tài bù gōng píng le ba!

It's rather unfair to me!

如果你我不能完成这次任务，咱们俩都得完蛋。

rú guǒ nǐ wǒ bú néng wán chéng zhè cì rèn wù, zán men liǎng dōu dě wán dàn.

Both of us will be finished if we're not able to complete the task.

To show intimacy. For example:

含有"亲近"的意味。例如：

看在咱哥俩多年的情分上，你就赏个面子吧！

kàn zài zán gē liǎng duō nián de qíng fèn shàng, nǐ jiù shǎng gè miàn zǐ ba!

For the sake of our friendship after years, do me this honor!

如今咱们山村也有了自己的大学生。

rú jīn zán men shān cūn yě yǒu le zì jǐ de dà xué shēng.

Now our mountain village has its own college students.

人家 (rén jiā)

Using "人家 (rén jia)" to refer to yourself usually implies a sense of coquetry. Take a look at some examples:

用"人家"自指时，往往含有"娇嗔"的意味。试看以下几例：

他一直打电话，完全不理人家。

tā yī zhí dǎ diàn huà, wán quán bù lǐ rén jia.

He was on the telephone all the time and completely ignored me.

人家只是想跟你说话嘛！

rén jia zhī shì xiǎng gēn nǐ shuō huà ma!

I just want to talk with you!

人家会想你的。

rén jia huì xiǎng nǐ de.

I will miss you.

别人 (bié rén)

When used to refer to oneself, "别人 (bié rén)" often implies a sense of complaint. For example:

用"别人"自指时，往往含有明显的"埋怨"意味。例如：

少拿别人开心！

shǎo ná bié rén kāi xīn!

Stop making fun of me!

你有什么资格向别人发号施令？

nǐ yǒu shén me zī gé xiàng bié rén fā hào shī lìng?

What right have you to dictate to me?

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