noun HSK 4
other people · others · another person
Meaning
他人 refers to people other than oneself. It's a somewhat formal term used to distinguish between 'self' and 'others.' Unlike 别人 (bié rén), which is more colloquial, 他人 appears more often in written Chinese, formal contexts, rules, and philosophical or ethical discussions.
Usage
Commonly used in formal writing, signs, regulations, and ethical discussions. Native speakers use it when emphasizing the distinction between oneself and others, especially in contexts involving responsibility, respect, or social norms. It's less common in casual everyday conversation where 别人 is preferred.
Examples
- 01我们应该尊重他人的意见。.We should respect other people's opinions.
- 02不要随便评论他人的生活方式。.Don't casually criticize other people's lifestyles.
Characters
Common collocations
- 尊重他人to respect others
- 关心他人to care about others
- 他人的隐私others' privacy
- 为他人着想to think of others
Antonyms
Origin
Composed of 他 (other) and 人 (person), literally meaning 'other person.' The character 他 originally meant 'other' before it became the standard third-person pronoun.