C2 Advanced Patterns 13 min read Hard

Honorifics & Humble Terms: The Art of "Noble" vs. "My Stupid Self"

Respect in C2 Chinese is a see-saw: push the other person up with honorifics and push yourself down with humble terms.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use honorifics to elevate the listener and humble verbs to lower yourself, maintaining social harmony.

  • Use {尊称|zūnchēng} (honorifics) like {您|nín} for superiors.
  • Use {谦称|qiānchēng} (humble terms) like {鄙人|bǐrén} for yourself.
  • Match verb choices to the social distance of the participants.
Superior (您/请) + Action + Inferior (鄙人/拙见)

Overview

Mastering Chinese politeness extends far beyond basic terms like 请 (qǐng) and 谢谢 (xièxiè). At the C2 level, you must navigate the sophisticated system of Honorifics (敬辞 jìngcí) and Humble Terms (谦辞 qiāncí). This is not merely a vocabulary list; it is a linguistic framework for performing social respect.

Understanding this system signifies an expert-level grasp of the cultural emphasis on hierarchy, modesty, and interpersonal harmony that shapes formal communication.

This system's existence is deeply rooted in classical Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucian principles of social order (礼 lǐ). These terms are linguistic rituals that create appropriate interpersonal distance, acknowledge the status of your counterpart, and express your own humility. While their usage has decreased in casual, modern speech, they remain non-negotiable in formal business, academic, and official contexts.

Misusing them can lead to awkwardness or perceived arrogance, making their correct application a hallmark of true cultural and linguistic fluency.

The core principle operates like a linguistic seesaw: you elevate the other party while lowering yourself. This is achieved through lexical substitution—swapping a neutral word like 公司 (gōngsī) for an honorific one like 贵公司 (guìgōngsī) when referring to another's company, or a humble one like 敝公司 (bìgōngsī) when referring to your own. This grammar rule doesn't alter sentence structure, but rather, it encodes respect directly into your choice of words.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, the system of honorifics and humble terms is a performance of giving face (给面子 gěi miànzi). It's a linguistic tool that allows you to manage social relationships by publicly demonstrating respect and modesty. You achieve this through two complementary actions: elevating the other (抬高对方 táigāo duìfāng) and lowering yourself (放低自己 fàngdī zìjǐ).
  1. 1Elevating the Other (Honorifics): You use 敬辞 (jìngcí) to show respect towards your interlocutor. This involves using specific prefixes or nouns when referring to their family, affiliations, possessions, actions, or opinions. For example, instead of asking for someone's opinion with the neutral 你的看法是什么？ (Nǐ de kànfǎ shì shénme?), you would use 您有什么高见？ (Nín yǒu shéme gāojiàn?), where 高见 (gāojiàn) literally means "lofty view."
  1. 1Lowering Yourself (Humble Terms): You use 谦辞 (qiāncí) to express modesty. This involves using specific prefixes or nouns for your own family, affiliations, and opinions, which in turn further elevates the other person. To offer your own opinion in the same formal context, you might say 这只是我的一些拙见 (Zhè zhǐshì wǒ de yīxiē zhuōjiàn), where 拙见 (zhuōjiàn) means "clumsy view."
The fundamental rule is absolute separation. You never use an honorific for yourself, your family, or your company. Conversely, you never use a humble term for the person you are addressing.
Applying these terms correctly demonstrates that you understand and respect the social hierarchy of the situation. This system is almost entirely lexical; the grammar of the sentence (SVO structure, etc.) remains unchanged. The challenge lies in selecting the correct word from this specialized vocabulary based on social context.
Think of it as having different sets of vocabulary for different social registers. In a highly formal setting, you switch from the "neutral" lexicon to the "honorific/humble" lexicon. 我父亲 (wǒ fùqīn, my father) becomes 家父 (jiāfù), while 你父亲 (nǐ fùqīn, your father) becomes 令尊 (lìngzūn).

Formation Pattern

1
This system is primarily built on prefixes and a set of fixed lexical items. The patterns are consistent and can be learned systematically. They apply to specific domains such as people, places, affiliations, and ideas.
2
I. Honorifics (敬辞): Elevating the Other
3
These terms are used when referring to the person you are speaking to, their relatives, or their attributes. They project respect and formality.
4
Prefix 贵 (guì - noble, esteemed): Used broadly for institutions, places, or attributes associated with the person you are addressing. It is the most common and versatile honorific prefix.
5
| Term | Pinyin | Meaning (Literal) | Usage | Example Sentence |
6
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
7
| 贵姓 | guìxìng | Noble surname | Your surname (extremely common) | 请问您贵姓？ (Qǐngwèn nín guìxìng?) - May I ask your esteemed surname? |
8
| 贵公司 | guìgōngsī | Noble company | Your esteemed company | 我们非常希望能与贵公司合作。 (Wǒmen fēicháng xīwàng néng yǔ guìgōngsī hézuò.) - We very much hope to cooperate with your esteemed company. |
9
| 贵校 | guìxiào | Noble school | Your esteemed school/university | 我非常仰慕贵校的学术声誉。 (Wǒ fēicháng yǎngmù guìxiào de xuéshù shēngyù.) - I deeply admire your esteemed university's academic reputation. |
10
| 贵庚 | guìgēng | Noble age | Your age (formal, for elders) | 请问老先生贵庚？ (Qǐngwèn lǎoxiānshēng guìgēng?) - May I ask your honorable age, sir? |
11
Prefix 令 (lìng - admirable, your): Specifically reserved for the family members of the person you are addressing. This prefix carries a more classical and formal weight than 贵.
12
| Term | Pinyin | Meaning (Literal) | Usage | Example Sentence |
13
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
14
| 令尊 | lìngzūn | Admirable senior | Your father | 令尊最近身体好吗？ (Lìngzūn zuìjìn shēntǐ hǎo ma?) - Is your honorable father in good health recently? |
15
| 令堂 | lìngtáng | Admirable hall (mother) | Your mother | 请代我向令堂问好。 (Qǐng dài wǒ xiàng lìngtáng wènhǎo.) - Please send my regards to your honorable mother. |
16
| 令郎 | lìngláng | Admirable young man | Your son | 令郎真是年轻有为。 (Lìngláng zhēnshi niánqīng yǒu wéi.) - Your admirable son is truly young and promising. |
17
| 令爱 | lìng'ài | Admirable love | Your daughter | 令爱多才多艺，令人羡慕。 (Lìng'ài duōcáiduōyì, lìngrén xiànmù.) - Your admirable daughter is so talented, it's enviable. |
18
Other Key Honorific Terms: Beyond prefixes, there are standalone nouns and verbs.
19
| Term | Pinyin | Meaning (Literal) | Usage | Example Sentence |
20
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
21
| 高见 | gāojiàn | High view | Your lofty opinion/insight | 不知您对此事有何高见？ (Bùzhī nín duì cǐ shì yǒu hé gāojiàn?) - I wonder what your lofty opinion on this matter is? |
22
| 大作 | dàzuò | Great work | Your work (of writing, art, etc.) | 我拜读了您的新书，真是惊为天人的大作。 (Wǒ bàidúle nín de xīnshū, zhēnshi jīngwéitiānrén de dàzuò.) - I read your new book with respect; it's truly a great, astonishing work. |
23
| 府上 | fǔshàng | Your residence/mansion | Your home (very formal) | 改日我一定登门拜访府上。 (Gǎirì wǒ yīdìng dēngmén bàifǎng fǔshàng.) - I will certainly visit your home another day. |
24
| 光临 | guānglín | Bright arrival | To grace with your presence | 欢迎各位嘉宾光临指导。 (Huānyíng gèwèi jiābīn guānglín zhǐdǎo.) - Welcome, honored guests, for gracing us with your presence and guidance. |
25
II. Humble Terms (谦辞): Lowering Yourself
26
These terms are used to refer to yourself, your family, or your own attributes, conveying modesty.
27
Prefixes for Your Affiliations & Works:
28
| Prefix | Pinyin | Meaning (Literal) | Usage | Example Term |
29
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
30
| 敝 | bì | My worn-out/shabby | For your company or school | 敝公司 (bìgōngsī - my humble company) |
31
| 拙 | zhuō | My clumsy/unskilled | For your opinions or works | 拙见 (zhuōjiàn - my clumsy opinion) |
32
| 愚 | yú | My foolish/ignorant | For your opinions or thoughts | 愚见 (yújiàn - my foolish opinion) |
33
Terms for Your Family: This is a critical area where you must differentiate from the 令 series.
34
| Term | Pinyin | Meaning (Literal) | Usage | Example Sentence |
35
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
36
| 家父 | jiāfù | My family's father | My father (to non-family) | 家父常常提起您。 (Jiāfù chángcháng tíqǐ nín.) - My father often mentions you. |
37
| 家母 | jiāmǔ | My family's mother | My mother (to non-family) | 这是家母让我带给您的。 (Zhè shì jiāmǔ ràng wǒ dài gěi nín de.) - This is what my mother asked me to bring you. |
38
| 犬子 | quǎnzǐ | My puppy son | My son (very humble) | 犬子无知，给您添麻烦了。 (Quǎnzǐ wúzhī, gěi nín tiān máfan le.) - My son is ignorant and has caused you trouble. |
39
| 寒舍 | hánshè | My cold shed | My home | 欢迎您来寒舍一坐。 (Huānyíng nín lái hánshè yī zuò.) - You are welcome to come and sit at my humble home. |
40
| 拙荆/贱内 | zhuōjīng/jiànnèi | My clumsy thorn / My worthless inner one | My wife (Archaic) | 拙荆 is literary; 贱内 is now widely considered sexist and dated. Use 我爱人 (wǒ àirén) or 我妻子 (wǒ qīzi) in all modern contexts. |

When To Use It

Knowing when to deploy these terms is as important as knowing the terms themselves. Using them incorrectly can make you sound sarcastic, distant, or simply bizarre. Reserve them for situations requiring a high degree of formality and respect.
  • Formal Business & Professional Settings: This is the most common modern domain for 敬辞 and 谦辞.
  • Written Communication: Emails, letters, and proposals to external clients, partners, or government bodies. (贵公司, 敝公司, 大作).
  • Formal Meetings: First-time meetings with senior executives or potential clients. (贵姓, 久仰大名 jiǔyǎng dàmíng - I've long admired your name).
  • Public Speaking: Speeches, presentations, and conferences, especially when addressing an audience or distinguished guests (各位来宾各位领导 gèwèi láibīn gèwèi lǐngdǎo).
  • Academic Environments:
  • Communicating with senior professors, university officials, or renowned scholars (贵校, 高见).
  • Referring to your own work in a preface or formal correspondence (拙作, 拙文 zhuōwén).
  • Formal Social & Official Occasions:
  • Interactions with high-ranking government officials or dignitaries (贵国).
  • Formal introductions at events like weddings or banquets, especially when speaking to elders you don't know (请问您贵庚？).
Crucially, do NOT use these terms:
  • With close friends, family, or peers you have an informal relationship with. Saying 令尊 to your best friend about their dad is unnatural; you'd just say 你爸爸.
  • In casual, everyday situations like shopping or ordering food.
  • On informal social media like personal WeChat Moments (unless it's a formal announcement).
Think of it as a formality dial. A simple 请问您贵姓？ is a 3 out of 10. A full-blown email using 贵公司, 大作, 高见 while referring to your own work as 拙见 is a 9 or 10.

Common Mistakes

Learners at all levels make predictable errors with this system. Avoiding them is a key sign of C2 mastery.
  1. 1The #1 Error: Reversed Application. This is using a humble term for the other person or an honorific for yourself. It is a serious social blunder.
  • Wrong: 我的贵公司在北京。 (Wǒ de guìgōngsī zài Běijīng.*)
  • Right: 敝公司在北京。 (Bìgōngsī zài Běijīng.) or simply 我们公司在北京。 (Wǒmen gōngsī zài Běijīng.)
  • Wrong: 请问你家父好吗？ (Qǐngwèn nǐ jiāfù hǎo ma?) (家父 is my* father).
  • Right: 请问令尊好吗？ (Qǐngwèn lìngzūn hǎo ma?)
  1. 1Overuse and Inappropriate Context. Using these terms in a casual setting makes you sound like you've swallowed a classical dictionary. It creates distance and can be interpreted as sarcastic.
  • Weird: (To a friend) 周末有空来我寒舍坐坐吗？ (Zhōumò yǒu kòng lái wǒ hánshè zuòzuò ma?*)
  • Natural: 周末有空来我家坐坐吗？ (Zhōumò yǒu kòng lái wǒjiā zuòzuò ma?)
  1. 1Redundancy. Many humble terms already include the meaning of "my." Adding another possessive pronoun is grammatically redundant and sounds unnatural.
  • Wrong: 我的拙见是... (Wǒ de zhuōjiàn shì...*)
  • Right: 拙见是... (Zhuōjiàn shì...) or 我有一些拙见... (Wǒ yǒu yīxiē zhuōjiàn...)
  1. 1Using Archaic or Offensive Terms. Some terms, while historically correct, are no longer appropriate. The most prominent example is 贱内 (jiànnèi) for "my wife." While you should recognize it in historical texts, using it in modern conversation would be jarring and likely cause offense.
  1. 1Forgetting the 免贵 (miǎn guì) Response. When asked 您贵姓？ (Nín guìxìng?), the standard polite response is to deflect the honorific. You say, 免贵姓王 (Miǎn guì xìng Wáng), which means "(I'm) exempt from the 'noble' and surnamed Wang." Simply replying 我姓王 is abrupt.

Real Conversations

Here’s how these terms are woven into modern, formal interactions.

S

Scenario 1

A Formal Business Email Introduction

```

S

Subject

关于与贵公司建立合作关系的提案 (Proposal Regarding Establishing a Partnership with Your Esteemed Company)

张经理：

您好！

我是ABC公司的李华。敝公司长期关注贵公司在新能源领域的卓越成就。拜读了贵公司发布的最新行业报告后，我们对您的洞察力深感钦佩。

我们准备了一份初步合作方案，希望能有机会向您展示。不知您下周是否方便，让我们当面聆听您的宝贵意见？

顺颂商祺！

李华

ABC公司

```

- Analysis: 贵公司 (your esteemed company) and 敝公司 (my humble company) establish a respectful, formal tone. 拜读 (bàidú - to read with respect) and 宝贵意见 (bǎoguì yìjiàn - valuable opinions) further this dynamic.

S

Scenario 2

At a Professional Conference

Scholar A approaches Professor Wang after her keynote speech.*

A

A

王教授，久仰大名！刚刚听了您的报告，真是精彩绝伦。您对这个问题的很多高见，让我茅塞顿开。

(Wáng jiàoshòu, jiǔyǎng dàmíng! Gānggāng tīngle nín de bàogào, zhēnshi jīngcǎi juélún. Nín duì zhège wèntí de hěnduō gāojiàn, ràng wǒ máosè dùnkāi.)

(Professor Wang, I've admired you for so long! I just heard your presentation, it was absolutely brilliant. Many of your lofty insights on this topic have been a true enlightenment for me.)

B

B

不敢当，不敢当。我也就是分享一些拙见，希望能抛砖引玉，听到更多同行的想法。

(Bù gǎndāng, bù gǎndāng. Wǒ yě jiùshì fēnxiǎng yīxiē zhuōjiàn, xīwàng néng pāozhuānyǐnyù, tīngdào gèng duō tóngháng de xiǎngfǎ.)

(You're too kind. I was just sharing some of my clumsy opinions, hoping to cast a brick to attract jade and hear more ideas from my peers.)

- Analysis: A uses 久仰大名 and 高见 to show respect. B responds with the classic humble phrase 不敢当 (I don't deserve such praise) and refers to her own acclaimed ideas as 拙见. The idiom 抛砖引玉 (pāozhuānyǐnyù) is a classic humble expression, perfectly fitting this context.

Quick FAQ

Q: Do I really need to learn and use all of these terms?

For receptive skills (reading formal writing), you should recognize most of them. For active use, prioritize the most common business and social terms: 贵姓, 贵公司, 敝公司, 令尊/令堂, 拙见, and 大作. The more archaic terms like 犬子 or 府上 are for very specific, high-formality situations or literary effect.

Q: What's the practical difference between 拙见 (zhuōjiàn) and 愚见 (yújiàn)?

Both mean "my humble opinion." 拙见 (clumsy view) is more common, neutral, and standard in business and academic contexts. 愚见 (foolish view) is more intensely self-deprecating. In modern usage, it can sometimes sound overly dramatic or even falsely modest. When in doubt, 拙见 is the safer and more standard choice.

Q: If the context requires honorifics, should I always use 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ)?

Yes, absolutely. The formality level that calls for terms like 贵姓 or 令尊 inherently demands the use of 您. Pairing an honorific with the informal 你 (e.g., *你贵姓？) creates a jarring clash of registers and sounds incorrect.

Q: Is this system the same in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong?

The underlying principles and most of the core vocabulary are identical, as they all stem from a shared classical heritage. However, the frequency of use can differ. For instance, formal written correspondence in Taiwan often retains a higher density of these terms compared to mainland China. The core rules of application, however, remain consistent across the Chinese-speaking world.

Honorific vs Humble Mapping

Category Standard Honorific (For Others) Humble (For Self)
Pronoun
你 (nǐ)
您 (nín)
鄙人 (bǐrén)
Home
家 (jiā)
府上 (fǔshàng)
寒舍 (hánshè)
Company
公司 (gōngsī)
贵公司 (guìgōngsī)
敝司 (bìsī)
Work
作品 (zuòpǐn)
大作 (dàzuò)
拙作 (zhuózuò)
Surname
姓 (xìng)
贵姓 (guìxìng)
免贵姓 (miǎnguìxìng)
Father
爸爸 (bàba)
令尊 (lìngzūn)
家父 (jiāfù)

Meanings

A system of linguistic choices used to express social distance, respect, and humility in Chinese.

1

Honorifics

Terms used to show respect to the listener.

“{您|nín} {好|hǎo}。”

“{贵|guì} {公司|gōngsī}。”

2

Humble Terms

Terms used to lower one's own status.

“{鄙人|bǐrén} {不才|bùcái}。”

“{拙作|zhuózuò}。”

Reference Table

Reference table for Honorifics & Humble Terms: The Art of "Noble" vs. "My Stupid Self"
Form Structure Example
Honorific
您 + Verb
您请进
Humble
鄙人 + Verb
鄙人姓王
Honorific Noun
贵 + Noun
贵公司
Humble Noun
拙 + Noun
拙作
Request
请 + Verb
请指教
Negative Humble
不 + Humble
不才

Formality Spectrum

Formal
请问您贵姓？

请问您贵姓？ (Meeting someone)

Neutral
你叫什么名字？

你叫什么名字？ (Meeting someone)

Informal
你叫啥？

你叫啥？ (Meeting someone)

Slang
咋称呼？

咋称呼？ (Meeting someone)

The Honorific Balance

Social Harmony

Elevate Others

  • 您 You (polite)
  • 贵 Noble

Humble Self

  • 鄙人 I (humble)
  • 拙 Clumsy
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Examples by Level

1

{您|nín} {好|hǎo}。

Hello (polite).

2

{请|qǐng} {坐|zuò}。

Please sit.

3

{谢谢|xièxie} {您|nín}。

Thank you (polite).

4

{您|nín} {几岁|jǐsuì}？

How old are you? (polite)

1

{您|nín} {贵姓|guìxìng}？

What is your honorable surname?

2

{请|qǐng} {问|wèn}。

May I ask?

3

{您|nín} {吃|chī} {了|le} {吗|ma}？

Have you eaten? (polite)

4

{请|qǐng} {多|duō} {关照|guānzhào}。

Please take care of me.

1

{贵|guì} {公司|gōngsī} {在|zài} {哪儿|nǎr}？

Where is your honorable company?

2

{鄙人|bǐrén} {姓|xìng} {张|zhāng}。

My humble self is surnamed Zhang.

3

{这|zhè} {是|shì} {拙作|zhuózuò}。

This is my clumsy work.

4

{请|qǐng} {您|nín} {指教|zhǐjiào}。

Please give me your advice.

1

{久仰|jiǔyǎng} {大名|dàmíng}。

I have long heard of your great name.

2

{寒舍|hánshè} {简陋|jiǎnlòu}。

My humble home is simple.

3

{请|qǐng} {您|nín} {移步|yíbù}。

Please move (to another room).

4

{您|nín} {太|tài} {客气|kèqì} {了|le}。

You are too polite.

1

{令尊|lìngzūn} {身体|shēntǐ} {可好|kěhǎo}？

Is your honorable father well?

2

{小儿|xiǎo'ér} {不才|bùcái}。

My little son is not talented.

3

{承蒙|chéngméng} {您|nín} {厚爱|hòu'ài}。

I am honored by your kindness.

4

{请|qǐng} {您|nín} {斧正|fǔzhèng}。

Please correct my work (polite).

1

{尊驾|zūnjià} {光临|guānglín}，{蓬荜生辉|péngbìshēnghuī}。

Your honorable presence brings light to my humble home.

2

{鄙人|bǐrén} {才疏学浅|cáishūxuéqiǎn}。

My humble self is lacking in talent and learning.

3

{请|qǐng} {您|nín} {笑纳|xiàonà}。

Please accept this (humble gift).

4

{您|nín} {的|de} {高见|gāojiàn} {令|lìng} {我|wǒ} {受益匪浅|shòuyìfěiqiǎn}。

Your noble opinion has benefited me greatly.

Easily Confused

Honorifics & Humble Terms: The Art of "Noble" vs. "My Stupid Self" vs 贵 vs 敝

Learners swap them.

Common Mistakes

✗

您好 (to a cat)

✓

你好

Honorifics are for people.
✗

您好 (to a friend)

✓

你好

Over-politeness creates distance.
✗

我的贵公司

✓

敝司

Never use 'noble' for yourself.
✗

请您给我指教

✓

请您指教

Redundant structure.

Sentence Patterns

请您___。

Real World Usage

Job Interview constant

请您指教。

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💡

Context is King

Don't use honorifics with friends.

Smart Tips

Use '贵姓' to show respect.

你姓什么？ → 您贵姓？

Pronunciation

IPA: /nin/

Nín

The 'n' at the end of 'nín' is nasal; ensure it sounds distinct from 'nǐ'.

Polite Rising

您好↗

Shows genuine warmth and respect.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a seesaw: when you push the other person up with 'Noble' (贵), you must pull yourself down with 'Clumsy' (拙).

Visual Association

Imagine bowing deeply while handing a gift; the higher the person, the lower your bow.

Rhyme

贵人高高在上，鄙人低低在下。

Story

A young scholar meets a master. He calls the master's home 'fǔshàng' and his own home 'hánshè'. The master smiles, pleased by the scholar's humility.

Word Web

您贵鄙人拙请寒舍指教

Challenge

Write a 3-sentence introduction using '鄙人' and '贵'.

Cultural Notes

Used heavily in business and with elders.

Rooted in Confucian hierarchy.

Conversation Starters

“

您贵姓？

Journal Prompts

Describe a meeting with a mentor.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ (To a teacher) 好。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 您
Use 您 for respect.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ (To a teacher) 好。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 您
Use 您 for respect.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Match the Regular term to the Honorific/Humble term. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All match
Which sentence is socially acceptable? Multiple Choice

You are accepting a compliment on your idea.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 哪里哪里，只是拙见。(Where where, just a clumsy opinion.)
Complete the email closing. Fill in the Blank

Looking forward to your guidance: 期待您的___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 赐教 (Cìjiào)
Fix the honorific error. Error Correction

Customer: 这是贵公司的产品吗？ (Is this your noble company's product?) / Rep: 是的，这是贵司的新品。 (Yes, this is your noble company's new item.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 是的，这是敝司的新品。 (Yes, this is our humble company's new item.)
Arrange the formal greeting. Sentence Reorder

company / admired / noble / long / name / have / I

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 久仰贵公司大名 (Jiǔyǎng guì gōngsī dàmíng)
Translate 'How old are you?' for an elderly person. Translation

Translate: 'May I ask your age?' (Formal/Elderly)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 请问您贵庚？
You are giving a gift. What do you say? Multiple Choice

Choose the humble phrase:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 这是区区薄礼。(This is a mere meager gift.)
Addressing a letter to a teacher. Fill in the Blank

Dear Teacher Wang: 尊敬的王___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 老师 (Lǎoshī)
Identify the incorrect usage of 'Ling' (Command/Your). Error Correction

Which phrase is INCORRECT?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 令我 (Your me)
Match the person to the term. Match Pairs

Who does the term refer to?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All match
Asking a name in a business setting. Fill in the Blank

Q: 请问您___? (May I ask your noble surname?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 贵姓 (Guìxìng)
Referring to your own wife. Multiple Choice

Which term is humble?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 内人 (Nèirén)

Score: /12

FAQ (1)

No, it creates distance.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Japanese high

Keigo

Japanese is more grammaticalized.

Spanish moderate

Usted

Chinese has more specific vocabulary.

German moderate

Sie

German is less status-focused.

French moderate

Vous

French is less status-focused.

Arabic moderate

Hadrati

Arabic is more religious-based.

Chinese n/a

Nín

None.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Chinese Formal Commands: Must, Should, and Advisable (宜, 当, 须)
Next
Saying Goodbye with Respect (逝世, 驾崩, 仙逝)

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