俺们 (ǎn men) — we (dialectal, northern China)

Definition

A dialectal, northern-Chinese word for 'we' (inclusive of the listener) — more colloquial and rural than standard 我们.

pronoun

we (dialectal, northern China)

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

俺 means the speaker in northern speech, and 们 makes it refer to a group.

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.

亻奄俺

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénperson

Sound part声符shēngfú

奄

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

俺 pairs 亻 (person) with 奄, which provides the sound. The 亻 part connects the character to people, while 奄 points to its pronunciation.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 們; 们 is its simplified writing.

亻門們

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénperson

Sound part声符shēngfú

門

門mén們men

Same sound today

The traditional form 們 uses 亻 for a person and 門 for the sound; the simplified 们 is a later shorthand.