Addressing a Chinese Person
Addressing a Chinese Person
Dì sān shí bā kè wèn chēng wèi yǔ chēng hū
第三十八课 问称谓与称呼
Background (背景资料)
How one addresses a Chinese person can be a complicated exercise. Considerations to be taken into account include relationship and age. But, in case of doubt, the word "comrade" is still used in China and, more important, is of universal application.
生词（New Words）
称呼 chēng hū：to address someone
爱人 ài rén：a term of endearment one uses to refer to his/her spouse
妻子 qī zǐ: wife
丈夫 zhàng fu：husband
先生 xiān sheng：Mister; Sir
女士 nǚ shì：Miss; Madam
夫妇 fū fù：a married couple; husband and wife
年轻 nián qīng：young
老年 lăo nián：senior, elderly
小俩口 xiăo liăng kŏu：a young couple
老俩口 lăo liăng kŏu：a senior/elderly couple
昵称 nì chēng：an intimate address, a pet name
同志 tóng zhì：comrade
对话（Dialogue）
Mài kè: Lì li, zhōng wén de "ài rén" shì shén me yì si?
麦克： 丽丽，中文的“爱人”是什么意思？
Mike: What does "ai ren" mean?
Lì li: "Ài rén" shì qī zǐ huò zhàng fu de yì si.
丽丽： “爱人”是妻子或丈夫的意思。
Lili: It means spouse.
Mài kè: Míng bai le. Wŏ zĕn me chēng hū nĭ zhàng fu?
麦克： 明白了。我怎么称呼你丈夫？
Mike: I see. So, how should I address your husband?
Lì li: Jiào xiān sheng jiù kĕ yĭ.
丽丽： 叫先生就可以。
Lili: You can say "xiān sheng".
Mai ke: Rén men chēng nián qīng fū fù wéi xiăo liăng kŏu, shì ma?
麦克： 人们称年轻夫妇为小俩口，是吗？
Mike: A young couple is referred to as "xiăo liăng kŏu", right?
Li li: Shì de. Lăo nián fū fù wéi lăo liăng kŏu.
丽丽： 是的。老年夫妇为老俩口。
Lili: Yes. And "lăo liăng kŏu" for a more senior or elderly couple.
Mài kè: Duì lăo nián fū fù yĕ chēng hū lăo bànr, shì ma?
麦克： 对老年夫妇也称呼老伴儿，是吗？
Mike: Aren't elderly couples referred to as "lăo bànr"?
Li li: Shì de. Zhè shì yì zhŏng nì chēng.
丽丽： 是的。这是一种昵称。
Lili: Yes. But that is a more intimate form of address.
Mài kè: "Tóng zhì" zhè gè cí hái yòng ma?
麦克： “同志”这个词还用吗？
Mike: Is the word "comrade" still used?
Lì li: Yòng. Bú guò "xiān shēng" hé "nǚ shì" yòng de yĕ hĕn duō.
丽丽： 用。不过“先生”和“女士”用得也很多。
Lili: Yes, it is. But "Sir" and "Madam" are also used.
