Grammar Point:
In Chinese, the term 人家 rénjiā is a versatile pronoun that can be used in various contexts to refer to different people.
Referring to Someone Else
人家都說沒關係了,你就別難過了人家都说没关系了,你就别难过了
People are saying it’s okay, so don’t be upset.
你看人家的男朋友都會送禮物,你都不會你看人家的男朋友都会送礼物,你都不会
Look, everyone else’s boyfriends give them gifts, but you never do.
人家愛怎麼想就怎麼想,你不用在意人家爱怎么想就怎么想,你不用在意
People will think what they want, you don’t have to worry about it.
你快看看人家是怎麼做的你快看看人家是怎么做的
Look at how others are doing it.
你要記得跟人家說謝謝喔你要记得跟人家说谢谢喔
Remember to thank her.
Referring to Myself
人家 rénjiā is also used in a self-referential manner, often to express humility, cuteness, or to soften a statement. It is commonly used by children or women, giving it a girly, shy, and tender feeling. This usage is often seen when children are being cute or when a girlfriend is talking to her boyfriend. Using it outside of these contexts might make you come across as an ‘angelic bitch.
人家生氣了人家生气了
I am angry now.
你不要騙人家你不要骗人家
Don’t lie to me.
人家最近在減肥,所以不可以吃那麼多人家最近在减肥,所以不可以吃那么多
I’ve been trying to lose weight lately, so I can’t eat that much.
每次都我輸,人家不玩了每次都我输,人家不玩了
I keep losing, I don’t want to play anymore.
好羨慕你,人家都沒有錢出國好羡慕你,人家都没有钱出国
I envy you; I don’t have money to travel at all.
Referring to Households
這個村子裡只有20戶人家这个村子里只有20户人家
There are only 20 households in this village.
過年時每戶人家都會在門前貼春聯过年时每户人家都会在门前貼春联
During New Year’s, every household puts up Spring Festival couplets on their doors.