人家
HSK 6- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
人家Verb (Object) / SubjectVerb人家
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
人家 is a flexible pronoun meaning "other people," "people in general," or used as a self-reference in an intimate or coy manner.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The pronoun 人家 has 3 main uses:
- Other people, others (in general): Same as
别人. Example:这是人家的事，你别管(This is other people's business, don't interfere). - That person, he/she (referring to a specific individual): Used to refer back to a third person just mentioned; more intimate than
他/她. Example:小王在睡觉，别吵人家(Xiao Wang is sleeping, don't disturb him). - I, me (first-person self-reference): Typically used by girls or children to sound coy, cute, or to express a complaint. Example:
你都不陪人家！(You never spend time with me!).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这是人家的东西，别乱动。繁: 這是人家的東西，別亂動。Zhè shì rénjiā de dōngxi, bié luàn dòng.
This is someone else's thing, don't touch it randomly.
- 他正在忙，你别打扰人家。繁: 他正在忙，你別打擾人家。Tā zhèngzài máng, nǐ bié dǎrǎo rénjiā.
He is busy right now, don't bother him.
- 你为什么不理人家？繁: 你為什麼不理人家？Nǐ wèishénme bù lǐ rénjiā?
Why won't you pay attention to me?
- 人家等你好久了！Rénjiā děng nǐ hǎo jiǔ le!
People have been waiting for you for a long time!
- 别总学人家说话。繁: 別總學人家說話。Bié zǒng xué rénjiā shuōhuà.
Don't always imitate the way others speak.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:在会议上，人家不同意。Correct:在会议上，我不同意。
人家 is used for self-reference in intimate, affectionate contexts and is inappropriate in formal settings such as meetings.
- Wrong:我的朋友病了，你别打扰别人。Correct:我的朋友病了，你别打扰人家。
When "người ta" refers to a specific person just mentioned, 人家 is more natural than 别人 (which means "others" in general).