人家 rénjia other people
other people; somebody else; he, she or they; I, me (referring to oneself as "one" or "people")
How to remember 人家: 人 person + 家 home = other people.
Characters
How it is used
- Two very different uses: 'other people/someone else's household,' and a coy first-person 'I/me.'
- 'Others': 人家的东西 (rénjia de dōngxi) someone else's things; 别管人家 don't mind other people.
- Coquettish/childish 'I': 人家不要嘛 (rénjia bú yào ma) I don't want to! - softens the speaker, often used by women/children.
- Note the neutral-tone rénjia here; 人家 with full tone (rénjiā) means a household/dwelling.
Example sentences
- 别把人家当傻瓜。 Bié bǎ rénjiā dàng shǎguā.Don't make a fool of me.