Chinese honorifics are words and phrases that indicate social respect or deference in

the spoken or written language. Especially before the twentieth century, the language
used among friends would be very different from that used among strangers such as
merchants. Although most Chinese honorifics have fallen out of street use since the
end of Imperial China, they can still be understood, and indeed occasionally used, by
most contemporary Chinese speakers. This is partly attributable to the popularity of
Chinese historical novels and television dramas, which often employ language from
the classical periods. In general, language referring to oneself exhibits self-
deprecating humbleness, while language referring to others shows approval and
respect. Honorific language in Chinese was often achieved by using honorific
alternatives, prefixing or suffixing a word with a polite complement, or simply by
dropping casual-sounding words.

Example
nǐ xìng shénme
你 姓 什么 ？
"What family name do you have?"

The sentence above is a perfectly acceptable question when addressing others of equal
or lower status. In normal conversation, the extent of making it more polite might be
to preface it with a 请 (qǐng, "please"), accommodated by a 问 (wèn, "ask") as it is a
question. However, if the addressee is of higher status or the person asking the
question wants to show more respect, several changes may occur:

1. The sentence begins with 请 (lit. "invite", "request")

2. The sentence includes the interrogative verb 問 or 问 (wèn, "ask") to
accommodate this more formal sense of qǐng
3. The regular second-person pronoun 你 (nǐ, "you") is replaced by the honorific
second-person pronoun 您 (nín, "you" [cherished])
4. The honorific adjective or prefix 貴 or 贵 (guì, lit. "expensive", "valuable") is
added before 姓 (xìng, "last name") to compliment the addressee
5. The interrogative pronoun 甚麼 or 什么 (shénme, "what") is dropped entirely
as the structure of the sentence changes

The resulting sentence

qǐng wèn nín guìxìng

请 问 您 贵姓 ？
"May I (respectfully) request to ask you, whom I cherish, for your honorable
surname?"

is much more polite and more commonly used among people in formal or careful
situations.

Below is a collection of some of the better known honorifics and polite prefixes and
suffixes that have been used at one time or another in the Chinese lexicon.
Pronunciations given are those of today's Mandarin Chinese. Note that many of these
terms became obsolete after the end of the Qing dynasty or were deprecated during
the Cultural Revolution and are no longer used.

Referring to oneself
When referring to oneself, the first-person pronoun was to be avoided in most
situations. Persons of lower status—including slaves, children, and youths—were not
to use it when speaking to those of higher status, while those of higher status—
including lords, parents, and elders—frequently avoided it as a display of humility
and virtue. Instead, a third-person descriptor was used, which varied according to the
situation.

Referring to oneself in the third-person could be used arrogantly as well, to assert

one's superiority or even dominance over one's audience. This was most common in
the imperial middle management – the imperial consorts, the army, and the imperial
bureaucracy – with the emperor instead often describing himself in sorrowful terms
out of respect for his deceased father.

Commoners and the humble

Traditional Old Simplified

[1] Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese Chinese
This unintelligent
愚 愚 yú
one
This
鄙 *prəʔ 鄙 bǐ lowly/unlearned
one
This
敝 *bet-s 敝 bì unkempt/ragged
one
卑 *pe 卑 bēi This inferior one
Employed as an
apology when
竊 *tsʰˤet 窃 qiè This thief
appearing without
advanced notice
This servant Literally,
僕 *bˤok 仆 pú
(male) "charioteer"[1]
This servant
婢 *beʔ 婢 bì
(female)
妾 *tsʰap 妾 qiè This consort
*dzen- This worthless
賤妾 贱妾 jiànqiè
stsʰap consort
This one who is
在下 *dzˤəʔgˤraʔ 在下 zàixià
beneath you
小人 *sewʔniŋ 小人 xiǎorén This little man
小女 *sewʔnraʔ 小女 xiǎonǚ This little woman
草民 *tsʰˤuʔmiŋ 草民 cǎomín This worthless
 commoner (male)
This common
民女 *miŋnraʔ 民女 mínnǚ
woman
奴才 *nˤadzˤə 奴才 núcai This slave (male)
This slave
奴婢 *nˤabeʔ 奴婢 núbì
(female)
This slave of your
奴家 *nˤakˤra 奴家 nújiā
house (wife)

Emperors, Kings and the imperial family

Traditional Old Simplified

Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese[1] Chinese
Employed by
the king out of
respect for his
孤 *kʷˤa 孤 gū This orphaned one father, who
usually (though
not always) had
predeceased him
寡 *kʷˤraʔ 寡 guǎ This lonesome one As above
This lonesome one, or
寡人 *kʷˤraʔniŋ 寡人 guǎrén As above
this man of little virtue
Employed by
the emperor out
of modesty
regarding his
administration
不穀 *pəqˤok 不谷 bùgǔ This grainless one (cf. the
importance of
the Five Grains),
particularly
compared to his
father's rule
Employed
exclusively by
予一人 予一人 yüyìrén I, the solitary one
the Pre-Qin
kings of China.
Employed by
the emperor's
mother out of
哀家 *ʔˤəjkˤra 哀家 āijiā This sad house
respect for her
deceased
husband
Employed by
the empress and
臣妾 *gintsʰap 臣妾 chénqiè This subject and consort
consorts before
the emperor
 Employed by
the emperor
before the
empress
dowager and by
兒臣 *ŋegin 儿臣 ěrchén This child and subject
the imperial
family before
their parents or
the emperor's
other consorts
The original
generic first-
person pronoun,
朕 *lrəmʔ 朕 zhèn I arrogated to the
emperors during
the reign of Shi
Huangdi
Employed by an
empress or a
high-ranking
consort when
本宮 本宫 běngōng I, of the palace speaking to a
person or an
audience of
lower rank or
status

Officials and officers

Traditiona Simplifie
Old
l d Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese[1]
Chinese Chinese
臣 *gin 臣 chén This subject Employed
by officials
when
addressing
the
emperor,
based on a
word that
originally
meant
"slave"
during the
Zhou
dynasty.[2]
In formal
writing, the
character
 was written
in half the
size of the
normal font.
[citation needed]

Employed
by officials
when
addressing
下官 *gˤraʔkʷˤan 下官 xiàguān This lowly official
other
bureaucrats
of higher
rank
末官 *mˤatkʷˤan 末官 mòguān This lesser official As above.
小吏 *sewʔrəʔ-s 小吏 xiǎolì This little clerk As above.
Employed
by officials
when
addressing
their
卑職 *petək 卑职 bēizhí This inferior office
patrons or
other
bureaucrats
of equal
rank
Employed
by military
officers
when
末將 *mˤattsaŋ-s 末将 mòjiàng This lesser commander
addressing
other
officers of
higher rank
Employed
by officials
when
addressing
other
本府 本府 běnfǔ This office bureaucrats
of lower
rank.
Commonly
found in
fiction.
本官 *pˤənʔkʷˤan 本官 běnguān I, the Official Employed
by officials
when
addressing
those of
 lower status
Employed
by general
officers
when
本帥 *pˤənʔs-rut-s 本帅 běnshuài I, the General
addressing
their
commander
s
Employed
by general
officers
I,
*pˤənʔtsaŋ-skʷə běnjiāngju when
本將軍 本将军 the General of the Arm
r n addressing
y
their
commander
s

Old men and women

Traditional Old Simplified

[1] Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese Chinese
This old and rotting
老朽 *rˤuʔqʰuʔ 老朽 lǎoxiǔ
one
This old and clumsy
老拙 *rˤuʔtot 老拙 lǎozhuó
one
Employed by elderly
老身 *rˤuʔn̥iŋ 老身 lǎoshēn This old body
women
老漢 *rˤuʔn̥ˤar-s 老汉 lǎohàn This old man
This old and
老夫 *rˤuʔpa 老夫 lǎofū
respected man

Scholars and monks

Traditiona Simplifie
Old
l d Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese[1]
Chinese Chinese
小生 *sewʔsreŋ 小生 xiǎoshēn This later-born one Literally
g "smaller-
born" but
Chinese
uses the
idea of
"big" and
"small" in
reference
to age –
e.g., 你多
大? ("How
 big are
you?") is a
question
about one's
age and not
about
height or
weight
wǎnshēn
晚生 *morʔsreŋ 晚生 This later-born one
g
Literally
"[belongin
晚輩 晚辈 wǎnbèi This later-born one g to a] later
generation
"
*morʔm-kˤru
晚學 晚学 wǎnxué This later-taught one
k
不才 *pədzˤə 不才 bùcái This inept one
不佞 不佞 búnìng This incapable one
Literally
"unlike",
but
implying
the speaker
不肖 *pəsew-s 不肖 búxiào This unequal one is unequal
to the
capability
and talent
of his
audience
Employed
by monks,
in
reference
to their
老衲 老衲 lǎonà This old and patched one
tattered
robes.
Used by
senior/olde
r monks.
貧僧 贫僧 pínsēng This pennyless monk
貧尼 贫尼 pínní This pennyless nun
Employed
This pennyless priest/prieste
貧道 *brənkə.lˤuʔ 贫道 píndào by Taoist
ss
adepts

Families

Some of the following are still in use today in various Chinese dialects.
Traditiona Simplifie
Old
l d Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese[1]
Chinese Chinese
Literally
"cold
lodging-
house";
*ə.gˤanr̥ak-
寒舍 寒舍 hánshè This humble abode could be
s
used as a
metonym
for the
family itself
A prefix
used when
referring to
oneself and
another
family
member:
this
unintelligen
愚- 愚- yú These unintelligent... t couple (愚
夫婦), this
unintelligen
t father and
son (愚父
子), these
unintelligen
t brothers
(愚兄弟),
&c.
A prefix
used when
referring to
living elder
family
家- *kˤra 家- jiā My house's... members:
my father
(家父), my
elder
brother (家
兄), &c.
先- *sˤər 先- xiān Deceased... Literally
"first", a
prefix used
when
referring to
deceased
elder family
members:
 my late
father (先
父), my late
elder
brother (先
兄), &c.
Literally
"my
lodging-
house's", a
prefix used
when
referring to
younger
舍- *r̥ak-s 舍- shě My place's...
family
members:
my younger
brother (舍
弟), my
younger
sister (舍
妹), &c.
A prefix
used when
referring to
內- *nˤəp 内- nèi ...inside
one's wife
(内人, 内
子, &c.)
Employed
by men to
zhuōjīn
拙荊 *totkreŋ 拙荆 That/you clumsy thorn address or
g
refer to their
wives
Employed
by men to
That/you worthless one insid
賤內 *dzen-snˤəp 贱内 jiànnèi address or
e
refer to their
wives
Employed
by wives to
拙夫 *totpa 拙夫 zhuōfū That clumsy man
refer to their
husbands
Employed
by parents
*kʷʰˤenʔtsə
犬子 犬子 quǎnzǐ That/you dog son/child to address
ʔ
or refer to
their sons
小兒 *sewʔŋe 小儿 xiǎo'ér This little child/son
小女 *sewʔnraʔ 小女 xiǎonǚ This little daughter
Addressing or referring to others
The same concept of hierarchical speech and etiquette affects terms of address
towards others as well as oneself. In most cases in modern Chinese, politeness can be
expressed by replacing the standard second-person pronoun 你 (nǐ, "you") with its
polite form 您 (nǐn, "you" [cherished]).

In a historical context (and in some modern contexts), the audience's title or

profession is used in place of the historic second-person pronouns 爾 and 尔 (ěr,
"you") or the modern 你. In other cases, there might be specific alternatives to be
employed instead. Below are examples of proper substitutes:

Emperors

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
Literally means "beneath the
ceremonial ramp". The implied
context is "Your Majesty, beneath
Your
陛下 陛下 bìxià whose ceremonial ramp [I am
Majesty
standing]". It was used by
officials when they addressed the
emperor directly.
May be used when addressing the
You, the
emperor directly or when
聖上 圣上 shèngshàng Holy and
referring to the emperor in the
Exalted One
third person.
Literally means "holy
procession". Used when referring
聖駕 圣驾 shèngjià His Majesty to the emperor in the third person,
especially when the emperor was
on the move.
The Son of
天子 天子 tiānzǐ One of the titles of the emperor.
Heaven
"Ten thousand" is a marker for a
large number, much as "million"
You, of Ten is used figuratively in English.
萬歲 万岁 wànsuì Thousand "Years" here refers specifically to
Years. years of age. It may be roughly
translated as "Long live the
Emperor!".
You, the An informal way of addressing
Lord of Ten the emperor directly. Usually used
萬歲爺 万岁爷 wànsuìyé
Thousand by the emperor's personal
Years attendants.
龍體 龙体 lóngtǐ His Literally means "dragon's body".
Majesty's Referring to the emperor's body
health or his health. Examples: 龍體欠
 安 (the Emperor is not feeling
well); 龍體無恙 (the Emperor is
well) etc.
Literally means "dragon's face".
Referring to the emperor's mood,
His
emotions, or facial expressions.
龍顏 龙颜 lóngyán Majesty's
Examples: 龍顏大悅 (the
feelings
Emperor is very pleased); 龍顏大
怒 (the Emperor is furious) etc.

Important people

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
Literally means "beneath your
Your palace". Used when addressing
殿下 殿下 diànxià
Highness members of the imperial family, such
as princes and princesses.
Your An informal way of addressing a
王爺 王爷 wángyé
Highness prince or a vassal king.
An informal way of addressing dukes,
爵爺 爵爷 juéyé My Lord marquesses, earls, viscounts and
barons.
Literally means "beneath your flag".
麾下 麾下 huīxià Sir Used when addressing generals and
military officers.
Literally means "official". Used by the
emperor and members of the imperial
卿 卿 qīng My subject
family when they address officials.
Examples: 愛卿 (my dear subject) etc.
Literally means "beneath your
Your ceremonial banner". Used when
節下 节下 jiéxià
Excellency addressing ambassadors from foreign
lands.
Literally "one thousand years", used
to address Empresses, Dowagers,
You, of Crown Princes and other high-ranking
千歲 千岁 qiānsùi Thousand imperials. The Taiping Rebellion also
Years had a particular rank system based on
how many "thousand years" a lord is
entitled to.

The following are commonly used today.

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
閣下 阁下 géxià Literally means "beneath your pavilion".
Used when addressing important people,
or to show respect to the person.
 Equivalent to Excellency.
Literally means "you, who belong to an
older generation". Used when addressing
前輩 前辈 qiánbèi an elderly person or someone in the same
profession who is more senior than the
speaker.
"台" refers to the Three Ducal Ministers,
the three highest-ranked officials in the
Zhou Dynasty. "端" is the honorific for
台端 台端 táiduān assisting and advisory officials in the Six
Dynasties. It is usually used in formal
writing when addressing a person of
similar social status.
Literally means "you, who share the same
ambition with me". Used by members of
the Nationalist and Communist parties to
address fellow members of the same
conviction, thus it can translate to
"comrade". It is also used by some older
citizens in China to address strangers.
同志 同志 tóngzhì Comrade However, now among the younger and
more urban Chinese, "同志" has definite
implications of homosexuality (not
necessarily in a pejorative way, however,
as it has been adopted by the gay
community, and thus is more analogous to
the English term queer as compared to
faggot).

By titles:

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
先生 先生 xiānshēng Mr.
The use of "xiaojie" is taboo in
some parts of China as it may
refer to prostitutes. In Suzhou,
"xiaojie" is substituted with
xiăojiě / "yatou" (simplified Chinese: 丫头;
小姐 / 姑娘 小姐 / 姑 Ms.
娘 gūniang traditional Chinese: 丫頭; pinyin:
yātou), which in turn may be
considered offensive in other parts
of China because "yatou" also
means "dumb girl".
女士 女士 nǚshì Madam
夫人 夫人 fūrén Mrs. Traditionally, the honorific of the
consort of a Pre-Qin state ruler.
During the imperial era, it was
appropriated for vassals. In
 modern use, it is appropriate for
most females. When a surname is
used, the husband's surname
precedes this honorific.
Originally a court scholar. Refers
博士 博士 bóshì Dr. to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
holder.
Refers to a medical doctor.
"Daifu" (Chinese: 大夫; pinyin:
dàifū) "Yishi" (Chinese: 醫師;
醫生 医生 yīshēng Dr.
pinyin: yīshī) are sometimes used,
usually in mainland China and in
Taiwan respectively.
經理 经理 jīnglǐ Manager
"Laoshi" may sometimes be used
as a polite reference to a more
老師 老师 lǎoshī Teacher
highly educated person, who may
not necessarily be a teacher.
師父 师父 shīfù Master See Sifu for further information.
師傅 师傅 shīfù Master See Sifu for further information.
Monk
修士 修士 xīushì
(Catholic)
Priest
神父 神父 shénfù (Catholic);
Father
The Pope
教宗 教宗 jiàozōng
(Catholic)
Deacon
執士 执士 zhíshì
(Christian)
Pastor
牧師 牧师 mùshī
(Christian)
Bishop
主教 主教 zhǔjiào
(Christian)
"Heshang" (Chinese: 和尚;
Monk / Nun pinyin: héshàng) is also used,
法師 法师 fǎshī
(Buddhist) either to denote seniority or
hierarchy in the monastery.
Layman
居士 居士 jūshì
(Buddhist)
Priestess "Daogu" (Chinese: 道姑; pinyin:
仙姑 仙姑 xiāngū
(Taoist) dàogū) is also used sometimes.
Priest /
道長 道长 dàozhăng Priestess
(Taoist)
Sir
爵士 爵士 juéshì
(Knighthood)
聖 圣 shèng St. / Sage Used as a prefix to indicate
holiness. May not necessarily be
 applied to only Catholic saints as a
prefix, for example "孔圣"
(Kongsheng) (Chinese: 孔聖;
pinyin: kǒngshèng), literally
means "Saint Confucius" or "Sage
Confucius".

The addressee's family members

The following terms are still in use today:

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
Literally means "the beautiful
and respected one".
令尊 令尊 lìngzūn Your father "Lingzunweng" (Chinese: 令尊
翁; pinyin: lìngzūnwēng) is
sometimes used.
Literally means "the beautiful
and dignified one".
"Lingshoutang" (simplified
Your
令堂 令堂 lìngtáng Chinese: 令寿堂; traditional
mother
Chinese: 令壽堂; pinyin:
lìngshòutáng) is sometimes
used.
Literally means "the beautiful
令閫 令阃 lìngkǔn Your wife
door to the woman's room".
Your elder Literally means "the beautiful
令兄 令兄 lìngxiōng
brother elder brother".
Literally means "the beautiful
young man". "Linggongzi"
令郎 令郎 lìngláng Your son
(Chinese: 令公子; pinyin:
lìnggōngzǐ) is sometimes used.
Literally means "the beautiful
and beloved one". Another form
Your of "ling'ai" (simplified Chinese:
令愛 令爱 lìng'ài
daughter 令嫒; traditional Chinese: 令嬡;
pinyin: lìng'ài) is sometimes
used.
Literally means "the beautiful
Your
令千金 令千金 lìngqiānjīn one who is worth a thousand
daughter
gold".
Literally means "the respected
尊上 尊上 zūnshàng Your father
one above".
Literally means "the respected
lord". "Zunjun" (Chinese: 尊君;
尊公 尊公 zūngōng Your father pinyin: zūnjūn) and "zunfu"
(Chinese: 尊府; pinyin: zūnfǔ)
are sometimes used.
 Your Literally means "the respected
尊堂 尊堂 zūntáng
mother and dignified one".
Your Literally means "the respected
尊親 尊亲 zūnqīn
parents and loved ones".
Literally means "the respected
You, the
procession". Used when
尊駕 尊驾 zūnjià respected
referring to a guest or a person
one
of higher social status.
You, the
virtuous
賢喬梓 贤乔梓 xiánqiáozǐ
father and
son
You, the
virtuous
賢伉儷 贤伉俪 xiánkànglì
husband and
wife
You, the
賢昆仲 贤昆仲 xiánkūnzhòng virtuous
brothers
You, the
賢昆玉 贤昆玉 xiánkūnyù virtuous
sisters

One's own family

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
You, my
賢妻 贤妻 xiánqī
virtuous wife
You, my "Xiandi" (simplified Chinese: 贤
virtuous 棣; traditional Chinese: 賢棣;
賢弟 贤弟 xiándì
younger pinyin: xiándì) is another less
brother commonly used form.
You, my
賢侄 贤侄 xiánzhì virtuous
nephew
Means "you" when talking directly
You, my
夫人 夫人 fūrén to wife. When introducing her to
wife
others it means "my wife".
You, my
夫君 夫君 fūjūn
husband
You, my
郎君 郎君 lángjūn husband and Archaic
master
官人 官人 guānrén You, my Means more like "Official man",
husband like "The Man", like as the term
used for the police. It might have
been Archaic for "Husband" at one
 time, but seems unlikely said to
be.
You, my Obsolete. It now refers to a male
相公 相公 xiànggōng
husband prostitute.
You, my A modern translation probably
丈夫 丈夫 zhàngfu
husband used in mainland China.[citation needed]
A modern translation of
You, my "Husband", meaning more like "A
夫婿 夫婿 fūxù
husband grown-up son-in-law that's now a
husband".
You, my
仁兄 仁兄 rénxiōng kind elder
brother
A prefix to show affection for
You, my lovers. Examples: 愛妻 (my
愛 爱 ài beloved / beloved wife); 愛姬 (my beloved
Love concubine); 愛妾 (my beloved
concubine) etc.

Friends

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
Literally means "the virtuous
賢家 贤家 xiánjiā You
house".
You, the
賢郎 贤郎 xiánláng virtuous young Referring to one's son.
man
You, the Could be either addressing one's
virtuous own younger brother or
賢弟 贤弟 xiándì
younger referring to the addressee's
brother younger brother.
You, the kind Used when addressing an older
仁兄 仁兄 rénxiōng
elder brother male friend.
You, the kind Used when addressing a person
仁公 仁公 réngōng
lord more senior than the speaker.

Elders

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
A prefix for elderly
丈 丈 zhàng
persons.
太/大 太/大 tài / dà A prefix for elders.
Empress
太后 太后 tàihòu
Dowager
太父 太父 tàifǔ Grandfather
太母 太母 tàimǔ Grandmother
The deceased

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
A prefix for deceased persons older
先 先 xiān
than the speaker.
The late Referring to the deceased former
先帝 先帝 xiāndì
emperor emperor.
My late
先考 先考 xiānkǎo
father
My late
先父 先父 xiānfù
father
My late
先慈 先慈 xiāncí
mother
My late
先妣 先妣 xiānbǐ
mother
The late Referring to a deceased person who
先賢 先贤 xiānxián
virtuous was highly regarded.
A prefix for deceased persons
younger than the speaker. Examples:
亡 亡 wáng
亡弟 (deceased younger brother); 亡
兒 (deceased child) etc.

The following are commonly found in spiritual tablets and gravestones:

Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Pinyin Meaning Notes

顯考 显考 xiǎnkǎo (My) honorable late father
顯妣 显妣 xiǎnbǐ (My) honorable late mother
祖考 祖考 zǔkǎo Ancestral father
祖妣 祖妣 zǔbǐ Ancestral mother

Strangers or social encounters

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
A prefix for persons and others
things affiliated to the
貴 贵 guì addressee. It is used for the
purposes of courtesy and
formality.
貴子弟 贵子弟 guìzǐdì Your son(s)
Your
貴子女 贵子女 guìzǐnǚ
children
Your
貴家長 贵家长 gùijiāzhǎng
parent(s)
Your
貴公司 贵公司 guìgōngsī
company
貴國 贵国 guìguó Your country
Your Used when asking for the
貴姓 贵姓 guìxìng surname / addressee's surname or family
family name name.
Used when asking for the
貴庚 贵庚 guìgēng Your age
addressee's age.
A prefix that means "valuable"
寶 宝 bǎo
or "precious".
Your
貴寶號 贵宝号 guìbǎohào valuable
business
Your stately
府上 府上 fǔshàng
residence
Your noble
貴府 贵府 guìfǔ
residence

Other prefixes and suffixes

Traditional Simplified
Pinyin Meaning Notes
Chinese Chinese
A prefix that shows affection or
intimacy. Examples: 阿伯 (uncle); 阿
妹 (sister); 阿哥 (brother); 阿爸
阿~ 阿~ ā Ah~ (father) etc. It may also be attached to
the last character of a person's given
name to address him/her intimately.
Examples: 阿莲
A prefix for things affiliated to
This~ / oneself. Examples: 本公司 (this
本~ 本~ bĕn
Our~ company / our company); 本校 (this
school / our school) etc.
Examples: 為父 (I, your father); 為母
I, who am
為~ 为~ wéi (I, your mother); 為兄 (I, your elder
your~
brother) etc.
A prefix for things affiliated to
My~ / oneself. Examples: 敝公司 (this
敝~ 敝~ bì
Our~ company / our company); 敝校 (this
school / our school) etc.
A suffix used for a male friend or a
~君 ~君 jūn
respected person.
A suffix used for a female friend,
~姬 ~姬 jī maiden. "Guniang" (Chinese: 姑娘;
pinyin: gūniang) is sometimes used.
A suffix used for an intimate male
~郎 ~郎 láng
friend or one's husband.
A suffix used for a wise or learned
~子 ~子 zǐ man. "Fuzi" (Chinese: 夫子; pinyin:
fūzǐ) is sometimes used.
~兄 ~兄 xiōng brother A suffix used for a older male friend.
~公 ~公 gōng A suffix used for a respected person.
~足下 ~足下 zúxià A suffix for a friend in writing a letter.
A suffix used for a person in a
~先生 ~先生 xiānshēng Mr.
profession.
A suffix used for an elder or a more
~前輩 ~前辈 qiánbeì senior person in the same profession
as the speaker.
Sir / A suffix used for an official or a
~大人 ~大人 dàrén
Madam person in authority.
A suffix used after a surname to
~氏 ~氏 shì address someone not of personal
acquaintance.
~兒 ~儿 ér son A suffix used for a young person.
elder A suffix used for an older male friend
~哥 ~哥 gē
brother or relative.
younger A suffix used for a younger male
~弟 ~弟 dì
brother friend or relative.
elder A suffix used for an older female
~姐 ~姐 jiĕ
sister friend or relative.
younger A suffix used for a younger female
~妹 ~妹 mèi
sister friend or relative.

Salutations
Salutation is used at the beginning of a speech or a letter to address the audience or
recipient(s). In the English language, salutations are usually in the form "Dear...".
However, the Chinese language has more variations for salutation, which are used in
different situations. Here are a few examples in modern Chinese:

 親愛的...·亲爱的... (qīn'aì de): Dear (beloved)

 尊敬的... (zūnjìng de): Revered ...
 敬愛的...·敬爱的... (jìng'aì de): Dear esteemed ...

Pejorative slang
It has been a tradition for many years in China to address oneself colloquially using
these pronouns in place of "I" to indicate contempt for the listener, to assert the
superiority of oneself, or when teasing:

 老子 (Lǎozi, not to be confused with Laozi the philosopher, written the same
way): I, your dad (referring to oneself as superior)
 爺·爷 (Yé): I, your lord. Used in parts of Northern China
 恁父 (Hokkien: lín-pē): I, your dad (referring to oneself as superior).

When used towards a person less well known or on formal occasions, both terms are
considered to be incredibly rude, and are usually used to purposely disgrace the
addressee; however, it is less of an issue when spoken among close friends, though
even some friends might still be offended by their use.