位 (wèi): Chinese measure word
How to use 位 (wèi), the Chinese measure word for people, politely: example nouns with pinyin, sentences and common mistakes.
Last updated 2026-10-30
位
wèi
people, politely
What it's used for
位 is the polite measure word for people: teachers, guests, customers, doctors. Restaurants and shops use it all the time: 请问几位？ (How many in your party?)
Common nouns with 位
- 一位奶奶 yí wèi nǎi nai (informal) grandma (paternal grandmoth…
- 一位同学 yí wèi tóng xué fellow student
- 一位先生 yí wèi xiān sheng Mr.; husband; teacher
- 一位顾客 yí wèi gù kè customer
- 一位客人 yí wèi kè rén visitor
- 一位大夫 yí wèi dà fū doctor
- 一位代表 yí wèi dài biǎo representative
- 一位领导 yí wèi lǐng dǎo leader
- 一位老太太 yí wèi lǎo tài tai elderly lady (respectful)
- 一位夫人 yí wèi fū ren lady
- 一位男士 yí wèi nán shì man
- 一位局长 yí wèi jú zhǎng bureau chief
- 一位人 yí wèi rén person
- 一位爸爸 yí wèi bà ba (coll.) father
- 一位弟弟 yí wèi dì di younger brother
- 一位哥哥 yí wèi gē ge older brother
Example sentences
-
这位老师教我们汉语。
Zhè wèi lǎo shī jiào wǒ men hàn yǔ.
This teacher teaches us Chinese.
-
请问您几位？
Qǐng wèn nín jǐ wèi?
How many people are in your party?
-
今天来了三位客人。
Jīn tiān lái le sān wèi kè rén.
Three guests came today.
Common mistake
Don't use 位 for yourself: 我是一位老师 ✗ → 我是一个老师 / 我是老师 ✓.
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