Chinese with EXO, lesson 1: Pronouns
How to use the example clips: I’ve looked for audio/video clips in which someone is using the specific pronoun. A translation/transcription is provided in the audio title or in the subtitles. For a clearer pronunciation example, use this - copy the word and paste it into the big entry space at the middle of the page, the click on the yellow button beneath it.
I/me 我 wǒ (Example 1 + Example 2)
You 您 (formal) nín (Example - Yixing uses the formal ‘you’ in the middle of the sentence, to refer to the head chef)
Her 她 tā (Example - repeat use of the word “she” in this song)
1) Him, her and it are all pronounced the same way. So in spoken language, there is no audible distinction between the three and is entirely context dependent.
2) The formal form of the word ‘you’, is only used with reference to elders in a more formal tone of language to convey respect to the individual you are speaking.
3) EXO Challenge Level *****: Can you spot Luhan’s use of the word 我 and 你 when discussing his and Lay’s wardrobes?
4) EXO Challenge Level ****: Can you hear Yixing’s use of the word 你 and Luhan’s use of the word 我 at the start of each of their sentences at that time point?
Once you’ve grasped the singular form, the plural form is dead easy! Just add a “们“ at the end of the word to turn it into its plural form.
I (plural) = We/us 我们 wǒ men (Example - both I and we used)
You (plural) = You guys/everyone 你们 nǐ men (Example)
Him (plural) = Them/they 他们 tā men
Her (plural) = Them/they 她们 tā men
It (plural) = Them/they 它们 tā men (Example - ta men yao duan le 它们咬断了！ They bit through to break it!)
1) When saying the 们, it isn’t spoken with the same strength or emphasis as the first word, which is why it lacks the tone symbol. But maybe this is too much detail :P
Other additional notes under the cut
titsay
vaporwave
jbbartram-illu
andulkaphoto
