你
you, second person pronoun
Strokes7
Readings
On'yomi
- ジ
- ニ
Kun'yomi
- なんじ
- しかり
- その
- のみ
Meaning
你 centers on the second person: the word 'you' used to address someone directly. It is a straightforward pronoun without additional abstract extensions.
Most common words using 你
- 你好ニーハオ
hello
Study
Etymology
你 combines 亻 (person) with 尔, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character developed as a common second-person pronoun in Chinese, and its use in Japanese is rare and primarily literary.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is a person 亻, and the right side 尔 looks like a small, simplified figure. Imagine pointing at that figure and saying 'you'.
Reading mnemonic
For ジ, imagine pointing at someone and saying 'Gee, it's you!' The 'Gee' sound cues ジ while you address the person directly.