们 for Plurals
Using 们 (men) to form plural pronouns and address groups of people
I can form plural pronouns and address groups of people using 们
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
我们是学生。
We are students.
他们是我的朋友。
They are my friends.
老师们好！
Hello, teachers!
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
们的用法 — The Plural Suffix 们
The suffix 们 (men) makes pronouns and some human nouns plural.
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 我 wǒ | 我们 wǒmen | I → we |
| 你 nǐ | 你们 nǐmen | you → you (pl.) |
| 他 tā | 他们 tāmen | he → they |
| 她 tā | 她们 tāmen | she → they (f.) |
| 老师 lǎoshī | 老师们 lǎoshīmen | teacher → teachers |
Rule: 们 is ONLY for people/pronouns. Never say *猫们 (cats) or *书们 (books). For non-human nouns, no plural marker is needed.
Common Error Patterns
Used 们 with animal or object nouns
们 is only for pronouns and human nouns: 我们, 他们, 老师们. Never *猫们 or *书们
我们是学生。
We are students.
我们 (wǒmen) = we. The plural suffix 们 turns 我 (I) into 我们 (we).
他们是我的朋友。
They are my friends.
他们 (tāmen) = they. For a mixed group or males, use 他们. For all-female groups, use 她们.
老师们好！
Hello, teachers!
老师们 (lǎoshīmen) — 们 can be added to human nouns when addressing a group. But never *猫们 or *桌子们.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises