你家 (nǐ jiā) — (polite pronoun) you (used to show respect, esp…

Definition

你家 (nǐ jiā) is a polite, formal "you," used in business or respectful contexts. Use 你 instead with friends, family, or equals.

pronoun

(polite pronoun) you (used to show respect, especially in business or formal settings)

你家？
nǐ jiā Zuì jìn máng ma?
Are you busy lately?
你家。
nǐ jiā Gōng sī de xīn chǎn pǐn wǒ hěn gǎn xìng qù.
I'm very interested in your company's new product.
你家，。
nǐ jiā Yǒu shén me xū yào bāng máng de, jǐn guǎn shuō.
If you need any help, just say it.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

你 'you' and 家 'home' form 'your home'.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

亻尔你

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénperson

Sound part声符shēngfú

尔

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 亻 is a person, and the right part 尔 supplies the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

宀宀miánroof

Sound part声符shēngfú

𢑓

𢑓𢑓家jiā

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The early drawing of 家 showed a roof 宀 over a male-pig sign 𢑓 that gave the pronunciation; the lower part later changed shape.

Appears in