How do pronouns in Chinese differ from those in English?
Chinese pronouns do not change for case (subject/object) or gender. They are also rarely used in conversation, relying more on context. "Ta" (他/她/它) can mean he, she, or it, with the same pronunciation but different characters. Plurals are formed by adding "men" (们) to the pronoun.
What are the Chinese pronouns for 'he', 'she' and 'it'?
The Chinese pronouns for 'he', 'she', and 'it' are 他 (tā), 她 (tā), and 它 (tā), respectively.
How do you use plural pronouns in Chinese?
Chinese plural pronouns are formed by adding the suffix "们" (men) to singular pronouns. For example, "我" (wǒ, I) becomes "我们" (wǒmen, we), "你" (nǐ, you) becomes "你们" (nǐmen, you all), and "他" (tā, he) becomes "他们" (tāmen, they).
How do you address people formally using pronouns in Chinese?
In formal situations in Chinese, use "您" (nín) for 'you' to show respect. For third-person references, "他" (tā), "她" (tā), and "它" (tā) are used for 'he', 'she', and 'it' respectively, similar to informal usage, but ensure to match the appropriate titles and context.
Are Chinese pronouns gender-neutral in speech?
Yes, Chinese pronouns are gender-neutral in speech. The third-person pronoun "ta" (他/她/它) is pronounced the same for he, she, and it. However, written forms reflect gender distinctions: 他 (he), 她 (she), and 它 (it).