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March 24, 2026
别人(別人)biérén(bie2ren2)
别人 (bié rén) refers to 'other people' or 'others' in Mandarin. It is commonly used when distinguishing between oneself and others, often in contexts of comparison or discussion about different individuals or groups. This term is frequently employed in both spoken and written language to emphasize the perspectives or actions of people other than the speaker.
Frequency#305DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of community and the role of the individual within it are significant. 别人 reflects the importance of considering others in social interactions, emphasizing collectivism over individualism.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person (人) who is different (别) from you. Picture them wearing a unique outfit that sets them apart, representing 'others'. The sound 'bié' can remind you of 'different', as in '别的' (bié de), which means 'other'.
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AI Study Notes for 别人
Quick Contrast
其他人 (qítā rén) — use 别人 (biérén) when emphasizing the distinction from oneself, whereas 其他人 (qítā rén) is more neutral and can refer to any other individuals without that emphasis.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person (人) who is different (别) from you. Picture them wearing a unique outfit that sets them apart, representing 'others'. The sound 'bié' can remind you of 'different', as in '别的' (bié de), which means 'other'.
Usage Notes
Learners should note that 别人 is informal and generally used in everyday conversation. A common mistake is to confuse it with 自己 (zì jǐ), which means 'oneself'; remember that 别人 always refers to others. Be cautious with tone pronunciation, as a mispronunciation can change the meaning significantly.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 3 HSK word, 别人 connects well with other basic vocabulary related to people and relationships. Students should focus on using it in sentences that contrast themselves with others, which will help reinforce understanding of social dynamics in conversations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of community and the role of the individual within it are significant. 别人 reflects the importance of considering others in social interactions, emphasizing collectivism over individualism.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is saying '我和别人的' instead of '我和别人不同' when trying to express a difference. Ensure you use the correct structure to convey your meaning clearly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 别人
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Grammar Patterns of 别人
别人 functions as a pronoun — it stands in for a noun. Use it in the same positions as nouns (subject before verb, object after). Plurals are formed by adding 们 (我们, 他们). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
nà zú yǐ ràng màn sāi ěr huò dé bié rén wú fǎ hàn dòng de lǐng xiān dì wèi。
That was enough to give Mansell an unassailable lead.
Cultural Notes for 别人
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of community and the role of the individual within it are significant. 别人 reflects the importance of considering others in social interactions, emphasizing collectivism over individualism.
Frequently Asked Questions about 别人
Yes, you can use 别人 to refer to a specific group by adding descriptors, such as 别的学生 (bié de xué sheng) for 'other students'.
别人 is primarily used in informal contexts; for formal writing, you might consider using 其他人 (qí tā rén) instead.
Try creating sentences that compare your experiences or opinions with those of 别人, such as '我和别人不同' (I am different from others).
