谁 (shéi) vs 谁 (shuí): two pronunciations for 'who'
The Chinese word 谁 (who) has two standard pronunciations: shéi and shuí. Shéi is the dominant form in everyday spoken Chinese, while shuí is used in formal contexts, reading aloud, and in certain expressions. Both are correct, and the choice depends on register, region, and personal habit.
谁 is a basic interrogative pronoun meaning 'who'. It has two accepted pronunciations: shéi and shuí. Shéi is the pronunciation you will hear most often in casual conversation, while shuí appears in formal speech, news broadcasts, and when reading texts aloud. Both pronunciations occur in standard Mandarin, and your choice will depend on the context, your region, and personal style.
When to use each
Use shéi in everyday spoken Chinese, informal conversations, and most casual settings. It is the most common pronunciation across mainland China and is widely understood.
Shéi is the result of a sound change that has become the standard for spoken Mandarin; it is fully acceptable even in formal speech by many speakers.
Use shuí in formal or literary contexts, when reading aloud from written material, or in fixed expressions like 谁是谁非 (shuí shì shuí fēi). It is the traditional dictionary pronunciation and is preferred in Taiwan and parts of northern China.
Shuí is considered the 'standard' pronunciation in many reference works, but in live speech it can sound stilted outside of formal registers.
At a glance
| 谁 | 谁 | |
|---|---|---|
| Register | Casual, spoken | Formal, written/read |
| Common usage | Everyday conversation | News, recitation, fixed phrases |
| Regional preference | Mainland China (dominant) | Taiwan, some northern dialects |
| Dictionary standard | Accepted variant | Primary citation pronunciation |
Examples
- 谁谁是老师？Shuí shì lǎo shī?Who is the teacher?pronounced shéi – typical in a casual classroom setting
- 谁谁是谁非，大家心里清楚。Shuí shì shuí fēi, dà jiā xīn lǐ qīng chǔ.Everyone knows right from wrong (lit. who is who is right/wrong).pronounced shuí – from a fixed expression often used in formal or written contexts
- 谁你找谁？Nǐ zhǎo shuí?Who are you looking for?pronounced shéi – natural in everyday speech
- 谁谁也不会想到结果是这样。Shuí yě bú huì xiǎng dào jié guǒ shì zhè yàng.Nobody would have thought the result would be like this.pronounced shuí – sounds more formal or emphatic; many speakers would say shéi here in casual speech
- 谁这是谁的书？Zhè shì shuí de shū?Whose book is this?pronounced shéi – common in daily questions
Common mistakes
- Using shuí in all casual conversations makes speech sound overly formal or unnatural.
- Assuming shéi is incorrect because dictionaries list shuí first; both are standard.
- Forcing shéi in formal writing or when reading aloud, where the expected pronunciation is often shuí.
- Thinking the choice is purely regional and ignoring the register factor.
FAQ
- When do I use shéi vs shuí?
- Use shéi in everyday speaking and informal situations. Use shuí in formal speeches, when reading aloud, or in set phrases like 谁是谁非. In most conversations, shéi is the natural choice.
- Is one pronunciation more correct than the other?
- No, both are standard. Shuí is the traditional dictionary pronunciation, but shéi has become the dominant spoken form. Neither is wrong; they suit different registers.
- Do all Chinese speakers pronounce 谁 the same way?
- No. There is regional variation: many speakers in mainland China use shéi daily, while speakers in Taiwan and some northern areas prefer shuí. Individuals may also switch depending on formality.