位

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wèi: 位 - Position, Place, Seat, a Measure Word for People

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 位, wèi, Chinese measure word, polite measure word, position in Chinese, Chinese character for place, Chinese character for seat, what does wei mean, HSK 2, 一位老师, 座位, 地位, Chinese grammar, learning Chinese
  • Summary: Discover the versatile Chinese character 位 (wèi), a fundamental term for any learner. This page breaks down its core meanings of “position,” “place,” and “seat,” and explains its crucial role as a polite measure word for people. Learn the cultural significance of showing respect with 位 (wèi) instead of the common 个 (gè), and master its use in contexts from ordering in a restaurant to discussing job positions and social status. This is your comprehensive guide to using 位 (wèi) accurately and respectfully in modern Chinese.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): wèi
  • Part of Speech: Noun, Measure Word
  • HSK Level: HSK 2
  • Concise Definition: “位” (wèi) primarily means position, location, or seat, and serves as a formal and polite measure word for people.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 位 (wèi) as a word that defines “a spot” or “a place.” As a noun, it can be a physical spot like a `座位` (zuòwèi, a seat), a numerical spot like the tens `位` (wèi, place) in “12”, or an abstract spot like one's `地位` (dìwèi, social status). As a measure word, it “places” a person on a pedestal of respect. You use it for people you wish to honor, like teachers, doctors, customers, or elders, making it more polite than the general measure word `个` (gè).

Character Breakdown

  • 位 (wèi) is a logical combination of two simple components:
  • 亻(rén): The “person” radical, which is a compressed form of 人 (rén). Its presence signals that the character is related to people or human actions.
  • 立 (lì): This character means “to stand” or “to establish.”
  • The characters combine to form a vivid picture: a person (亻) standing (立) in their proper place. This beautifully illustrates the core meaning of “position,” “status,” and “a designated spot,” which extends to its use as a respectful counter for individuals who hold a certain standing.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • The most important cultural aspect of 位 (wèi) lies in its use as a measure word. In English, we say “one person” or “one teacher” without any inherent level of politeness in the quantifier. In Chinese, the choice of measure word can reflect deep-seated cultural values.
  • Comparison to Western Culture: Choosing between 一位老师 (yí wèi lǎoshī) and 一个老师 (yí ge lǎoshī) is similar to the difference between addressing someone as “Mr. Smith” versus “John.” Using 位 (wèi) is the linguistic equivalent of showing deference and respect. It acknowledges the other person's status, profession, or role as a guest.
  • This ties into the broader cultural value of `尊敬` (zūnjìng, respect), particularly for elders, teachers, and professionals. Failing to use 位 (wèi) in a formal setting (e.g., a business meeting or a restaurant) can be seen as slightly rustic or lacking in refinement, even if it's not a grave offense. It's a small detail that demonstrates cultural fluency.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 位 (wèi) is extremely common in daily life. Here’s how you'll encounter it:
  • As a Polite Measure Word (for People): This is its most frequent use for beginners. It's used to count people you respect.
    • In restaurants: “请问，几位?” (Qǐngwèn, jǐ wèi?) - “Excuse me, how many people (in your party)?”
    • For professionals: 一位医生 (yí wèi yīshēng) - a doctor; 两位老师 (liǎng wèi lǎoshī) - two teachers.
    • For customers or guests: 三位客人 (sān wèi kèrén) - three guests.
  • As a Noun (Position, Place, Seat): It often combines with other characters.
    • `座位` (zuòwèi): A seat (e.g., on a train, in a cinema).
    • `职位` (zhíwèi): A job position or post.
    • `地位` (dìwèi): Social status or standing.
    • `位置` (wèizhì): A physical location or position.
  • In Math and Computing:
    • `个位` (gèwèi), `十位` (shíwèi), `百位` (bǎiwèi): The ones place, tens place, hundreds place.
    • `位` (wèi): A “bit” in computing (e.g., 32位操作系统 - 32-bit operating system).

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 服务员：请问，您几位？
    • Pinyin: Fúwùyuán: Qǐngwèn, nín jǐ wèi?
    • English: Waiter: Excuse me, how many people are in your party?
    • Analysis: This is a standard, polite phrase used in every Chinese restaurant. The waiter uses `您` (nín, polite you) and `位` to show respect to the customers.
  • Example 2:
    • 我来介绍一下，这位是我们的新老板，王先生。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ lái jièshào yíxià, zhè wèi shì wǒmen de xīn lǎobǎn, Wáng xiānsheng.
    • English: Let me introduce you. This is our new boss, Mr. Wang.
    • Analysis: When formally introducing someone, especially a superior, `位` is the correct and respectful choice. Using `这个是…` (zhè ge shì…) would be far too casual and inappropriate.
  • Example 3:
    • 对不起，这个座位有人了。
    • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, zhège zuòwèi yǒurén le.
    • English: Sorry, this seat is taken.
    • Analysis: Here, `位` is part of the noun `座位` (zuòwèi), meaning “seat.” This is a very practical sentence for public transport or libraries.
  • Example 4:
    • 他在公司里有一个很重要的职位。
    • Pinyin: Tā zài gōngsī lǐ yǒu yí ge hěn zhòngyào de zhíwèi.
    • English: He has a very important position in the company.
    • Analysis: The noun `职位` (zhíwèi) specifically refers to a professional post or job position.
  • Example 5:
    • 钱不应该影响一个人的社会地位。
    • Pinyin: Qián bù yīnggāi yǐngxiǎng yí ge rén de shèhuì dìwèi.
    • English: Money should not affect a person's social status.
    • Analysis: `地位` (dìwèi) refers to one's abstract “position” or “status” in society.
  • Example 6:
    • 我们公司一共有三位工程师。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī yígòng yǒu sān wèi gōngchéngshī.
    • English: Our company has a total of three engineers.
    • Analysis: `工程师` (gōngchéngshī, engineer) is a respected profession, so `位` is the appropriate measure word.
  • Example 7:
    • 我的车停在停车场的哪个位置？
    • Pinyin: Wǒ de chē tíng zài tíngchēchǎng de nǎge wèizhì?
    • English: Which spot in the parking lot is my car parked in?
    • Analysis: `位置` (wèizhì) is a common noun for a general physical location, position, or spot.
  • Example 8:
    • 在数字123中，2在十位。
    • Pinyin: Zài shùzì yībāièrshisān zhōng, èr zài shí wèi.
    • English: In the number 123, the 2 is in the tens place.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the mathematical usage of `位` to denote a numerical place value.
  • Example 9:
    • 这次会议有二十多位专家参加。
    • Pinyin: Zhè cì huìyì yǒu èrshí duō wèi zhuānjiā cānjiā.
    • English: More than twenty experts attended this conference.
    • Analysis: `专家` (zhuānjiā, expert) is another title that commands respect, making `位` the natural choice.
  • Example 10:
    • 我想申请贵公司的市场经理这个职位。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng shēnqǐng guì gōngsī de shìchǎng jīnglǐ zhège zhíwèi.
    • English: I would like to apply for the position of Marketing Manager at your esteemed company.
    • Analysis: A formal and practical sentence for a job application, using `职位` (zhíwèi) for “position.”

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `位` (wèi) vs. `个` (gè): The Politeness Rule: This is the most common point of confusion.
    • Use `位` (wèi): For people you don't know, customers, guests, or people in respected professions (teachers, doctors, bosses, elders). It's for formal, polite, or professional situations.
    • Use `个` (gè): For friends, family, children, or in very casual, informal speech. It's the neutral, all-purpose default. Using `位` for your little brother or best friend would sound strange and overly formal.
  • Common Mistake Example:
    • Incorrect: 我有两位好朋友。(Wǒ yǒu liǎng wèi hǎo péngyou.)
    • Reason: This sounds unnaturally stiff and distant. You are implying a formal distance from people you are calling “good friends.”
    • Correct: 我有两个好朋友。(Wǒ yǒu liǎng ge hǎo péngyou.)
  • Don't use `位` for objects: `位` as a measure word is exclusively for people. You cannot say “一位桌子” (yí wèi zhuōzi). You must use the correct measure word, `一张桌子` (yì zhāng zhuōzi).

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 个 (gè) - The default, neutral measure word for people and many objects. It's the informal counterpart to `位`.
  • 座位 (zuòwèi) - A compound word for “seat,” as on a plane or in a theater. Literally “sit position.”
  • 地位 (dìwèi) - Social status or standing. An abstract and important concept related to one's “position” in society.
  • 职位 (zhíwèi) - A job position, post, or office. Refers to a professional role.
  • 位置 (wèizhì) - A physical location, position, or spot. More general than `座位`.
  • 单位 (dānwèi) - A “work unit.” A very important concept in China, referring to one's workplace or employer.
  • 口 (kǒu) - Another measure word for people, but used specifically for counting the number of mouths to feed in a family (e.g., 我家有三口人 - Wǒ jiā yǒu sān kǒu rén).
  • 尊敬 (zūnjìng) - The verb “to respect.” This is the core feeling you communicate when you choose to use `位`.