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NounsHSK 4

Comparing 人家 and 别人

Both 人家 (rénjia) and 别人 (biérén) mean "other people," but 人家 is more colloquial and can also refer to a specific third party or even the speaker (ironic or affectionate). Use 别人 for straightforward references to others.

人家 can also mean "household" when used with 户 (hù), a meaning 别人 never has. Pay attention to context to distinguish these uses.

Examples

  • 我不在乎人家怎么说。
    Wǒ bù zàihu rénjia zěnme shuō.
    I don't care about what other people say.
  • 别人怎么想我怎么知道？
    Biérén zěnme xiǎng wǒ zěnme zhīdào?
    How could I know what other people are thinking?
  • 因为人家喜欢你啊。
    Yīnwèi rénjia xǐhuan nǐ a.
    Because I like you!
  • 你快给人家道歉。
    Nǐ kuài gěi rénjia dàoqiàn.
    Apologize to them now.
  • 这个小区有多少户人家？
    Zhège xiǎoqū yǒu duōshao hù rénjiā ?
    How many households are here in this neighborhood?

Words that use this