男人 nánrén a man
a man; a male; men
How to remember 男人: 男 male + 人 person = a man.
Characters
How it is used
- A grown man/male, general - 他是个好男人 (tā shì ge hǎo nánrén) he's a good man.
- Contrast 男生 (nánshēng), a young guy/male student, and 男的 (nánde), a casual 'the male one'. 男人 leans adult and can carry a 'real man' connotation in the right context.
- For a polite 'gentleman' use 男士 (nánshì), e.g. on restroom signs.
Example sentences
- 我是个男人。 Wǒ shì gè nánrén.I'm a man.
- 那男人是谁？ Nà nánrén shì shuí?Who's that man?
- 那个男人是谁？ Nàge nánrén shì shuí?Who is that man?