Meaning
们 is a grammatical particle that indicates plurality when attached to pronouns or nouns denoting people. It is never used alone and always follows the word it pluralizes. Most commonly seen with pronouns like 我 (I) → 我们 (we), 你 (you) → 你们 (you all), 他 (he) → 他们 (they).
Usage
Native speakers attach 们 exclusively to pronouns and human nouns (like 孩子们 'children', 朋友们 'friends'). It is never used with measure words, numbers, or non-human nouns. In formal speech or writing, 们 may be added to collective nouns for emphasis (同志们 'comrades'). The suffix is toneless (neutral tone) when spoken.
Examples
- 01我们明天去北京。.We are going to Beijing tomorrow.
- 02孩子们在公园里玩。.The children are playing in the park.
Common collocations
- 孩子们children
- 朋友们friends
- 同学们classmates
- 老师们teachers
Origin
The traditional form 們 contains the person radical 亻and the phonetic component 門 (door/gate). Historically it emerged in vernacular Chinese to mark plurality for people.