Chinese honorifics

Chinese honorifics are words and phrases that indicate social respect or deference in the spoken or written language. Especially before the twentieth century, the language used among friends would be very different from that used among strangers such as merchants. Although most Chinese honorifics have fallen out of street use since the end of Imperial China, they can still be understood, and indeed occasionally used, by most contemporary Chinese speakers. This is partly attributable to the popularity of Chinese historical novels and television dramas, which often employ language from the classical periods. In general, language referring to oneself exhibits self-deprecating humbleness, while language referring to others shows approval and respect. Honorific language in Chinese was often achieved by using honorific alternatives, prefixing or suffixing a word with a polite complement, or simply by dropping casual-sounding words.

Example

你(nǐ) 姓(xìng) 什么(shénme) ？

"What family name do you have?"

The sentence above is a perfectly acceptable question when addressing others of equal or lower status. In normal conversation, the extent of making it more polite might be to preface it with a 请 (qǐng, "please"), accommodated by a 问 (wèn, "ask") as it is a question. However, if the addressee is of higher status or the person asking the question wants to show more respect, several changes may occur:

The sentence begins with 请 (lit. "invite", "request")
The sentence includes the interrogative verb 問 or 问 (wèn, "ask") to accommodate this more formal sense of qǐng
The regular second-person pronoun 你 (nǐ, "you") is replaced by the honorific second-person pronoun 您 (nín, "you" [cherished])
The honorific adjective or prefix 貴 or 贵 (guì, lit. "expensive", "valuable") is added before 姓 (xìng, "last name") to compliment the addressee
The interrogative pronoun 甚麼 or 什么 (shénme, "what") is dropped entirely as the structure of the sentence changes

The resulting sentence

请(qǐng) 问(wèn) 您(nín) 贵姓(guìxìng) ？

"May I (respectfully) request to ask you, whom I cherish, for your honorable surname?"

is much more polite and more commonly used among people in formal or careful situations.

Below is a collection of some of the better known honorifics and polite prefixes and suffixes that have been used at one time or another in the Chinese lexicon. Pronunciations given are those of today's Mandarin Chinese. Note that many of these terms became obsolete after the end of the Qing dynasty or were deprecated during the Cultural Revolution and are no longer used.

Referring to oneself

When referring to oneself, the first-person pronoun was to be avoided in most situations. Persons of lower status—including slaves, children, and youths—were not to use it when speaking to those of higher status, while those of higher status—including lords, parents, and elders—frequently avoided it as a display of humility and virtue. Instead, a third-person descriptor was used, which varied according to the situation.

Referring to oneself in the third-person could be used arrogantly as well, to assert one's superiority or even dominance over one's audience. This was most common in the imperial middle management – the imperial consorts, the army, and the imperial bureaucracy – with the emperor instead often describing himself in sorrowful terms out of respect for his deceased father.

Commoners and the humble

Traditional Chinese	Old Chinese^[1]	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
愚		愚	yú	This unintelligent one
鄙	*prəʔ	鄙	bǐ	This lowly/unlearned one
敝	*bet-s	敝	bì	This unkempt/ragged one
卑	*pe	卑	bēi	This inferior one
竊	*tsʰˤet	窃	qiè	This thief	Employed as an apology when appearing without advanced notice
僕	*bˤok	仆	pú	This servant (male)	Literally, "charioteer"^[1]
婢	*beʔ	婢	bì	This servant (female)
妾	*tsʰap	妾	qiè	This consort
賤妾	*dzen-stsʰap	贱妾	jiànqiè	This worthless consort
在下	*dzˤəʔgˤraʔ	在下	zàixià	This one who is beneath you
小人	*sewʔniŋ	小人	xiǎorén	This little man
小女	*sewʔnraʔ	小女	xiǎonǚ	This little woman
草民	*tsʰˤuʔmiŋ	草民	cǎomín	This worthless commoner (male)
民女	*miŋnraʔ	民女	mínnǚ	This common woman
奴才	*nˤadzˤə	奴才	núcai	This slave (male)
奴婢	*nˤabeʔ	奴婢	núbì	This slave (female)
奴家	*nˤakˤra	奴家	nújiā	This slave of your house (wife)

Emperors, Kings and the imperial family

Traditional Chinese	Old Chinese^[1]	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
孤	*kʷˤa	孤	gū	This orphaned one	Employed by the king out of respect for his father, who usually (though not always) had predeceased him
寡	*kʷˤraʔ	寡	guǎ	This lonesome one	As above
寡人	*kʷˤraʔniŋ	寡人	guǎrén	This lonesome one, or this man of little virtue	As above
不穀	*pəqˤok	不谷	bùgǔ	This grainless one	Employed by the emperor out of modesty regarding his administration (cf. the importance of the Five Grains), particularly compared to his father's rule
予一人		予一人	yüyìrén	I, the solitary one	Employed exclusively by the Pre-Qin kings of China.
哀家	*ʔˤəjkˤra	哀家	āijiā	This sad house	Employed by the emperor's mother out of respect for her deceased husband
臣妾	*gintsʰap	臣妾	chénqiè	This subject and consort	Employed by the empress before the emperor
兒臣	*ŋegin	儿臣	ěrchén	This child and subject	Employed by the emperor before the empress dowager and by the imperial family before their parents or the emperor's other consorts
朕	*lrəmʔ	朕	zhèn	I	The original generic first-person pronoun, arrogated to the emperors during the reign of Shi Huangdi
本宮		本宫	běngōng	The Palace	Employed by an empress or a high-ranking consort when speaking to a person or an audience of lower rank or status

Officials and officers

Traditional Chinese	Old Chinese^[1]	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
臣	*gin	臣	chén	This subject	Employed by officials when addressing the emperor, based on a word that originally meant "slave" during the Zhou dynasty.^[2] In formal writing, the character was written in half the size of the normal font.
下官	*gˤraʔkʷˤan	下官	xiàguān	This lowly official	Employed by officials when addressing other bureaucrats of higher rank
末官	*mˤatkʷˤan	末官	mòguān	This lesser official	As above.
小吏	*sewʔrəʔ‑s	小吏	xiǎolì	This little clerk	As above.
卑職	*petək	卑职	bēizhí	This inferior office	Employed by officials when addressing their patrons or other bureaucrats of equal rank
末將	*mˤattsaŋ‑s	末将	mòjiàng	This lesser commander	Employed by military officers when addressing other officers of higher rank
本府		本府	běnfǔ	This office	Employed by officials when addressing other bureaucrats of lower rank. Commonly found in fiction.
本官	*pˤənʔkʷˤan	本官	běnguān	The Official	Employed by officials when addressing those of lower status
本帥	*pˤənʔs‑rut‑s	本帅	běnshuài	The General	Employed by general officers when addressing their commanders
本將軍	*pˤənʔtsaŋ‑skʷər	本将军	běnjiāngjun	The General of the Army	Employed by general officers when addressing their commanders

Old men and women

Traditional Chinese	Old Chinese^[1]	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
老朽	*rˤuʔqʰuʔ	老朽	lǎoxiǔ	This old and rotting one
老拙	*rˤuʔtot	老拙	lǎozhuó	This old and clumsy one
老身	*rˤuʔn̥iŋ	老身	lǎoshēn	This old body	Employed by elderly women
老漢	*rˤuʔn̥ˤar-s	老汉	lǎohàn	This old man
老夫	*rˤuʔpa	老夫	lǎofū	This old and respected man

Scholars and monks

Traditional Chinese	Old Chinese^[1]	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
小生	*sewʔsreŋ	小生	xiǎoshēng	This later-born one	Literally "smaller-born" but Chinese uses the idea of "big" and "small" in reference to age – e.g., 你多大? ("How big are you?") is a question about one's age and not about height or weight
晚生	*morʔsreŋ	晚生	wǎnshēng	This later-born one
晚輩		晚辈	wǎnbèi	This later-born one	Literally "[belonging to a] later generation"
晚學	*morʔm‑kˤruk	晚学	wǎnxué	This later-taught one
不才	*pədzˤə	不才	bùcái	This inept one
不佞		不佞	búnìng	This incapable one
不肖	*pəsew‑s	不肖	búxiào	This unequal one	Literally "unlike", but implying the speaker is unequal to the capability and talent of his audience
老衲		老衲	lǎonà	This old and patched one	Employed by monks, in reference to their tattered robes. Used by senior/older monks.
貧僧		贫僧	pínsēng	This pennyless monk
貧尼		贫尼	pínní	This pennyless nun
貧道	*brənkə.lˤuʔ	贫道	píndào	This pennyless priest/priestess	Employed by Taoist adepts

Families

Some of the following are still in use today in various Chinese dialects.

Traditional Chinese	Old Chinese^[1]	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
寒舍	*ə.gˤanr̥ak-s	寒舍	hánshè	This humble abode	Literally "cold lodging-house"; could be used as a metonym for the family itself
愚-		愚-	yú	These unintelligent...	A prefix used when referring to oneself and another family member: this unintelligent couple (愚夫婦), this unintelligent father and son (愚父子), these unintelligent brothers (愚兄弟), &c.
家-	*kˤra	家-	jiā	My house's...	A prefix used when referring to living elder family members: my father (家父), my elder brother (家兄), &c.
先-	*sˤər	先-	xiān	Deceased...	Literally "first", a prefix used when referring to deceased elder family members: my late father (先父), my late elder brother (先兄), &c.
舍-	*r̥ak-s	舍-	shě	My place's...	Literally "my lodging-house's", a prefix used when referring to younger family members: my younger brother (舍弟), my younger sister (舍妹), &c.
內-	*nˤəp	内-	nèi	...inside	A prefix used when referring to one's wife (内人, 内子, &c.)
拙荊	*totkreŋ	拙荆	zhuōjīng	That/you clumsy thorn	Employed by men to address or refer to their wives
賤內	*dzen-snˤəp	贱内	jiànnèi	That/you worthless one inside	Employed by men to address or refer to their wives
拙夫	*totpa	拙夫	zhuōfū	That clumsy man	Employed by wives to refer to their husbands
犬子	*kʷʰˤenʔtsəʔ	犬子	quǎnzǐ	That/you dog son/child	Employed by parents to address or refer to their sons
小兒	*sewʔŋe	小儿	xiǎo'ér	This little child/son
小女	*sewʔnraʔ	小女	xiǎonǚ	This little daughter

Addressing or referring to others

The same concept of hierarchical speech and etiquette affects terms of address towards others as well as oneself. In most cases in modern Chinese, politeness can be expressed by replacing the standard second-person pronoun 你 (nǐ, "you") with its polite form 您 (nǐn, "you" [cherished]).

In a historical context (and in some modern contexts), the audience's title or profession is used in place of the historic second-person pronouns 爾 and 尔 (ěr, "you") or the modern 你. In other cases, there might be specific alternatives to be employed instead. Below are examples of proper substitutes:

Emperors

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
陛下	陛下	bìxià	Your Majesty	Literally means "beneath the ceremonial ramp". The implied context is "Your Majesty, beneath whose ceremonial ramp [I am standing]". It was used by officials when they addressed the emperor directly.
聖上	圣上	shèngshàng	You, the Holy and Exalted One	May be used when addressing the emperor directly or when referring to the emperor in the third person.
聖駕	圣驾	shèngjià	His Majesty	Literally means "holy procession". Used when referring to the emperor in the third person, especially when the emperor was on the move.
天子	天子	tiānzǐ	The Son of Heaven
萬歲	万岁	wànsuì	You, of Ten Thousand Years.	"Ten thousand" is a marker for a large number, much as "million" is used figuratively in English. "Years" here refers specifically to years of age. It may be roughly translated as "Long live the Emperor!".
萬歲爺	万岁爷	wànsuìyé	You, the Lord of Ten Thousand Years	An informal way of addressing the emperor directly. Usually used by the emperor's personal attendants.
龍體	龙体	lóngtǐ	His Majesty's health	Literally means "dragon's body". Referring to the emperor's body or his health. Examples: 龍體欠安 (the Emperor is not feeling well); 龍體無恙 (the Emperor is well) etc.
龍顏	龙颜	lóngyán	His Majesty's feelings	Literally means "dragon's face". Referring to the emperor's mood, emotions, or facial expressions. Examples: 龍顏大悅 (the Emperor is very pleased); 龍顏大怒 (the Emperor is furious) etc.

Important people

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
殿下	殿下	diànxià	Your Highness	Literally means "beneath your palace". Used when addressing members of the imperial family, such as princes and princesses.
王爺	王爷	wángyé	Your Highness	An informal way of addressing a prince or a vassal king.
爵爺	爵爷	juéyé	My Lord	An informal way of addressing dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons.
麾下	麾下	huīxià	Sir	Literally means "beneath your flag". Used when addressing generals and military officers.
卿	卿	qīng	My subject	Literally means "official". Used by the emperor and members of the imperial family when they address officials. Examples: 愛卿 (my dear subject) etc.
節下	节下	jiéxià	Your Excellency	Literally means "beneath your ceremonial banner". Used when addressing ambassadors from foreign lands.
千歲	千岁	qiānsùi	You, of Thousand Years	Literally "one thousand years", used to address Empresses, Dowagers, Crown Princes and other high-ranking imperials. The Taiping Rebellion also had a particular rank system based on how many "thousand years" a lord is entitled to.

The following are commonly used today.

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
閣下	阁下	géxià		Literally means "beneath your pavilion". Used when addressing important people, or to show respect to the person. Equivalent to Excellency.
前輩	前辈	qiánbèi		Literally means "you, who belong to an older generation". Used when addressing an elderly person or someone in the same profession who is more senior than the speaker.
台端	台端	táiduān		"台" refers to the Three Ducal Ministers, the three highest-ranked officials in the Zhou Dynasty. "端" is the honorific for assisting and advisory officials in the Six Dynasties. It is usually used in formal writing when addressing a person of similar social status.
同志	同志	tóngzhì	Comrade	Literally means "you, who share the same ambition with me". Used by members of the Nationalist and Communist parties to address fellow members of the same conviction. It is also used by some older citizens in China to address strangers. However, now among the younger and more urban Chinese, "同志" has definite implications of homosexuality (not necessarily in a pejorative way, however, as it has been adopted by the gay community, and thus is more analogous to the English term queer as compared to faggot).

By titles:

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
先生	先生	xiānshēng	Mr.
小姐 / 姑娘	小姐 / 姑娘	xiăojiě / gūniang	Ms.	The use of "xiaojie" is taboo in some parts of China as it may refer to prostitutes. In Suzhou, "xiaojie" is substituted with "yatou" (simplified Chinese: 丫头; traditional Chinese: 丫頭; pinyin: yātou), which in turn may be considered offensive in other parts of China because "yatou" also means "dumb girl".
女士	女士	nǚshì	Madam
夫人	夫人	fūrén	Mrs.	Traditionally, the honorific of the consort of a Pre-Qin state ruler. During the imperial era, it was appropriated for vassals. In modern use, it is appropriate for most females. When a surname is used, the husband's surname precedes this honorific.
博士	博士	bóshì	Dr.	Originally a court scholar. Refers to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) holder.
醫生	医生	yīshēng	Dr.	Refers to a medical doctor. "Daifu" (Chinese: 大夫; pinyin: dàifū) "Yishi" (Chinese: 醫師; pinyin: yīshī) are sometimes used, usually in mainland China and in Taiwan respectively.
經理	经理	jīnglǐ	Manager
老師	老师	lǎoshī	Teacher	"Laoshi" may sometimes be used as a polite reference to a more highly educated person, who may not necessarily be a teacher.
師父	师父	shīfù	Master	See Sifu for further information.
師傅	师傅	shīfù	Master	See Sifu for further information.
修士	修士	xīushì	Monk (Catholic)
神父	神父	shénfù	Priest (Catholic); Father
教宗	教宗	jiàozōng	The Pope (Catholic)
執士	执士	zhíshì	Deacon (Christian)
牧師	牧师	mùshī	Pastor (Christian)
主教	主教	zhǔjiào	Bishop (Christian)
法師	法师	fǎshī	Monk / Nun (Buddhist)	"Heshang" (Chinese: 和尚; pinyin: héshàng) is also used, either to denote seniority or hierarchy in the monastery.
居士	居士	jūshì	Layman (Buddhist)
仙姑	仙姑	xiāngū	Priestess (Taoist)	"Daogu" (Chinese: 道姑; pinyin: dàogū) is also used sometimes.
道長	道长	dàozhăng	Priest / Priestess (Taoist)
爵士	爵士	juéshì	Sir (Knighthood)
聖	圣	shèng	St. / Sage	Used as a prefix to indicate holiness. May not necessarily be applied to only Catholic saints as a prefix, for example "孔圣" (Kongsheng) (Chinese: 孔聖; pinyin: kǒngshèng), literally means "Saint Confucius" or "Sage Confucius".

The addressee's family members

The following terms are still in use today:

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
令尊	令尊	lìngzūn	Your father	Literally means "the beautiful and respected one". "Lingzunweng" (Chinese: 令尊翁; pinyin: lìngzūnwēng) is sometimes used.
令堂	令堂	lìngtáng	Your mother	Literally means "the beautiful and dignified one". "Lingshoutang" (simplified Chinese: 令寿堂; traditional Chinese: 令壽堂; pinyin: lìngshòutáng) is sometimes used.
令閫	令阃	lìngkǔn	Your wife	Literally means "the beautiful door to the woman's room".
令兄	令兄	lìngxiōng	Your elder brother	Literally means "the beautiful elder brother".
令郎	令郎	lìngláng	Your son	Literally means "the beautiful young man". "Linggongzi" (Chinese: 令公子; pinyin: lìnggōngzǐ) is sometimes used.
令愛	令爱	lìng'ài	Your daughter	Literally means "the beautiful and beloved one". Another form of "ling'ai" (simplified Chinese: 令嫒; traditional Chinese: 令嬡; pinyin: lìng'ài) is sometimes used.
令千金	令千金	lìngqiānjīn	Your daughter	Literally means "the beautiful one who is worth a thousand gold".
尊上	尊上	zūnshàng	Your father	Literally means "the respected one above".
尊公	尊公	zūngōng	Your father	Literally means "the respected lord". "Zunjun" (Chinese: 尊君; pinyin: zūnjūn) and "zunfu" (Chinese: 尊府; pinyin: zūnfǔ) are sometimes used.
尊堂	尊堂	zūntáng	Your mother	Literally means "the respected and dignified one".
尊親	尊亲	zūnqīn	Your parents	Literally means "the respected and loved ones".
尊駕	尊驾	zūnjià	You, the respected one	Literally means "the respected procession". Used when referring to a guest or a person of higher social status.
賢喬梓	贤乔梓	xiánqiáozǐ	You, the virtuous father and son
賢伉儷	贤伉俪	xiánkànglì	You, the virtuous husband and wife
賢昆仲	贤昆仲	xiánkūnzhòng	You, the virtuous brothers
賢昆玉	贤昆玉	xiánkūnyù	You, the virtuous sisters

One's own family

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
賢妻	贤妻	xiánqī	You, my virtuous wife
賢弟	贤弟	xiándì	You, my virtuous younger brother	"Xiandi" (simplified Chinese: 贤棣; traditional Chinese: 賢棣; pinyin: xiándì) is another less commonly used form.
賢侄	贤侄	xiánzhì	You, my virtuous nephew
夫人	夫人	fūrén	You, my wife	Means "you" when talking directly to wife. When introducing her to others it means "my wife".
夫君	夫君	fūjūn	You, my husband
郎君	郎君	lángjūn	You, my husband and master	Archaic
官人	官人	guānrén	You, my husband	Means more like "Official man", like "The Man", like as the term used for the police. It might have been Archaic for "Husband" at one time, but seems unlikely said to be.
相公	相公	xiànggōng	You, my husband	Obsolete. It now refers to a male prostitute.
丈夫	丈夫	zhàngfu	You, my husband	A modern translation probably used in mainland China.
夫婿	夫婿	fūxù	You, my husband	A modern translation of "Husband", meaning more like "A grown-up son-in-law that's now a husband".
仁兄	仁兄	rénxiōng	You, my kind elder brother
愛	爱	ài	You, my beloved / Love	A prefix to show affection for lovers. Examples: 愛妻 (my beloved wife); 愛姬 (my beloved concubine); 愛妾 (my beloved concubine) etc.

Friends

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
賢家	贤家	xiánjiā	You	Literally means "the virtuous house".
賢郎	贤郎	xiánláng	You, the virtuous young man	Referring to one's son.
賢弟	贤弟	xiándì	You, the virtuous younger brother	Could be either addressing one's own younger brother or referring to the addressee's younger brother.
仁兄	仁兄	rénxiōng	You, the kind elder brother	Used when addressing an older male friend.
仁公	仁公	réngōng	You, the kind lord	Used when addressing a person more senior than the speaker.

Elders

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
丈	丈	zhàng		A prefix for elderly persons.
太 / 大	太 / 大	tài / dà		A prefix for elders.
太后	太后	tàihòu	Empress Dowager
太父	太父	tàifǔ	Grandfather
太母	太母	tàimǔ	Grandmother

The deceased

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
先	先	xiān		A prefix for deceased persons older than the speaker.
先帝	先帝	xiāndì	The late emperor	Referring to the deceased former emperor.
先考	先考	xiānkǎo	My late father
先父	先父	xiānfù	My late father
先慈	先慈	xiāncí	My late mother
先妣	先妣	xiānbǐ	My late mother
先賢	先贤	xiānxián	The late virtuous	Referring to a deceased person who was highly regarded.
亡	亡	wáng		A prefix for deceased persons younger than the speaker. Examples: 亡弟 (deceased younger brother); 亡兒 (deceased child) etc.

The following are commonly found in spiritual tablets and gravestones:

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning
顯考	显考	xiǎnkǎo	(My) honorable late father
顯妣	显妣	xiǎnbǐ	(My) honorable late mother
祖考	祖考	zǔkǎo	Ancestral father
祖妣	祖妣	zǔbǐ	Ancestral mother

Strangers or social encounters

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
貴	贵	guì		A prefix for persons and others things affiliated to the addressee. It is used for the purposes of courtesy and formality.
貴子弟	贵子弟	guìzǐdì	Your son(s)
貴子女	贵子女	guìzǐnǚ	Your children
貴家長	贵家长	gùijiāzhǎng	Your parent(s)
貴公司	贵公司	guìgōngsī	Your company
貴國	贵国	guìguó	Your country
貴姓	贵姓	guìxìng	Your surname / family name	Used when asking for the addressee's surname or family name.
貴庚	贵庚	guìgēng	Your age	Used when asking for the addressee's age.
寶	宝	bǎo		A prefix that means "valuable" or "precious".
貴寶號	贵宝号	guìbǎohào	Your valuable business
府上	府上	fǔshàng	Your stately residence
貴府	贵府	guìfǔ	Your noble residence

Other prefixes and suffixes

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning	Notes
阿~	阿~	ā	Ah~	A prefix that shows affection or intimacy. Examples: 阿伯 (uncle); 阿妹 (sister); 阿哥 (brother); 阿爸 (father) etc. It may also be attached to the last character of a person's given name to address him/her intimately. Examples: 阿莲
本~	本~	bĕn	This~ / Our~	A prefix for things affiliated to oneself. Examples: 本公司 (this company / our company); 本校 (this school / our school) etc.
為~	为~	wéi	I, who am your~	Examples: 為父 (I, your father); 為母 (I, your mother); 為兄 (I, your elder brother) etc.
敝~	敝~	bì	My~ / Our~	A prefix for things affiliated to oneself. Examples: 敝公司 (this company / our company); 敝校 (this school / our school) etc.
~君	~君	jūn		A suffix used for a male friend or a respected person.
~姬	~姬	jī		A suffix used for a female friend, maiden. "Guniang" (Chinese: 姑娘; pinyin: gūniang) is sometimes used.
~郎	~郎	láng		A suffix used for an intimate male friend or one's husband.
~子	~子	zǐ		A suffix used for a wise or learned man. "Fuzi" (Chinese: 夫子; pinyin: fūzǐ) is sometimes used.
~兄	~兄	xiōng	brother	A suffix used for a friend.
~公	~公	gōng		A suffix used for a respected person.
~足下	~足下	zúxià		A suffix for a friend in writing a letter.
~先生	~先生	xiānshēng	Mr.	A suffix used for a person in a profession.
~前輩	~前辈	qiánbeì		A suffix used for an elder or a more senior person in the same profession as the speaker.
~大人	~大人	dàrén	Sir / Madam	A suffix used for an official or a person in authority.
~氏	~氏	shì		A suffix used after a surname to address someone not of personal acquaintance.
~兒	~儿	ér	son	A suffix used for a young person.
~哥	~哥	gē	elder brother	A suffix used for an older male friend or relative.
~弟	~弟	dì	younger brother	A suffix used for a younger male friend or relative.
~姐	~姐	jiĕ	elder sister	A suffix used for an older female friend or relative.
~妹	~妹	mèi	younger sister	A suffix used for a younger female friend or relative.

Salutations

Salutation is used at the beginning of a speech or a letter to address the audience or recipient(s). In the English language, salutations are usually in the form "Dear...". However, the Chinese language has more variations for salutation, which are used in different situations. Here are a few examples in modern Chinese:

親愛的...·亲爱的... (qīn'aì de): Dear (beloved)
尊敬的... (zūnjìng de): Revered ...
敬愛的...·敬爱的... (jìng'aì de): Dear esteemed ...

Pejorative slang

It has been a tradition for many years in China to address oneself colloquially using these pronouns in place of "I" to indicate contempt for the listener, to assert the superiority of oneself, or when teasing:

老子 (Lǎozi, not to be confused with Laozi the philosopher, written the same way): I, your dad (referring to oneself as superior)
爺·爷 (Yé): I, your lord. Used in parts of Northern China
恁爸 (Hokkien: lín-pē): I, your dad (referring to oneself as superior).

When used towards a person less well known or on formal occasions, both terms are considered to be incredibly rude, and are usually used to purposely disgrace the addressee; however, it is less of an issue when spoken among close friends, though even some friends might still be offended by their use.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Baxter, Wm. H. & Sagart, Laurent. Baxter–Sagart Old Chinese Reconstruction. 2011. Accessed 21 August 2013.
↑ Tschang, Yinpo. "Shih and Zong: Social Organization in Bronze Age China, p. 14. Sino-Platonic Papers, #140. June 2004. Accessed 21 August 2013.

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