咱们 zánmen we (including the listener)
we (including the listener); us; our
How to remember 咱们: 咱 we + 们 people = we (including the listener).
Characters
How it is used
- Inclusive 'we' - always includes the listener: 咱们走吧 (zánmen zǒu ba) let's (you and I) go.
- 我们 (wǒmen) may or may not include the listener; 咱们 unambiguously does, creating a warm, we're-in-this-together feel.
- Colloquial and northern-flavored; more common in speech than writing.
Example sentences
- 咱们去吃饭吧。 Zánmen qù chīfàn ba.Let's go ahead and eat.
- 咱们点两瓶吧。 Zánmen diǎn liǎngpíng ba.Let's order two bottles.
- 咱们北京见！ Zánmen Běijīng jiàn!Let's meet in Beijing.