您 nín — you (polite singular)
nín (second tone, rising)nin2
you (polite singular)
HSK 2· HSK 1–6 (classic)Level 1· 2021 three-band, nine-level proficiency standardpronoun
Meanings
you (polite singular)
The respectful form of 你, used for elders, teachers, customers and strangers. Note the 心 "heart" underneath 你 — the character itself carries the courtesy.
pronounpolite
Example sentences
- 老师，您好！老師，您好！Lǎoshī, (third tone, dipping) nín (second tone, rising) hǎo! (third tone, dipping)···
Hello, teacher.
- 您想喝点儿什么？您想喝點兒什麼？Nín (second tone, rising) xiǎng (third tone, dipping) hē (first tone, high and level) diǎnr (third tone, dipping) shénme? (second tone, rising)···
What would you like to drink?
Common mistakes
Not quite您们好！
Correct你们好！
您 has no plural in standard Mandarin: 您们 is not used. Address a group with 你们, or with 大家 when speaking to a room.