plural marker for pronouns and some nouns

JLPT N5 5 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The character (men) is a suffix used to indicate the plural form of pronouns and some nouns in Mandarin Chinese. It is most commonly attached to personal pronouns like (I), (you), (he), forming 我们 (we), 你们 (you all), 他们 (they).

Common Collocations

  • 我们 (wǒmen): we/us
  • 你们 (nǐmen): you (plural)
  • 他们 (tāmen): they/them (male or mixed gender)
  • 她们 (tāmen): they/them (female)
  • 孩子 (háizimen): children

Important Notes

  • is not used with all nouns, only some that naturally take a plural form with it, mostly animate beings.
  • It cannot be used with inanimate objects to form plurals.
  • When used with pronouns, it clearly marks plurality and is essential for distinguishing singular from plural.

Common Confusion

Learners sometimes confuse with plural markers in other languages that can be used with any noun. In Chinese, is limited and cannot be used to pluralize all nouns. For example, you cannot say 桌子 for tables.

Understanding helps learners correctly express plural pronouns and some plural nouns, which is fundamental in everyday conversation.

Example Sentences

Let's go watch a movie together.

They are all my good friends.

The children are playing happily in the park.