Meaning and Usage
The word 他人 refers to people other than oneself or one's close group, essentially meaning "other people" or "strangers." It is often used in formal or written contexts to emphasize the distinction between oneself and others.
Common Contexts
他人 is frequently used when discussing privacy, property, opinions, or social boundaries. For example, phrases like 他人的东西 (other people's belongings) or 他人的隐私 (other people's privacy) are common.
Collocations and Patterns
- 他人的东西: other people's belongings, used when talking about property that belongs to someone else.
- 他人的隐私: other people's privacy, emphasizing respect for personal boundaries.
- 尊重他人: to respect others, a common phrase in social etiquette.
Usage Notes
他人 is more formal and less colloquial than words like 别人. It often appears in written language, legal or ethical discussions. Avoid confusing 他人 with 自己人 (one's own people) or 朋友 (friends), as 他人 strictly means "others" outside one's own group.