Classical Chinese/Pronoun

Ways to address "me" in 文言文 Classical Chinese.

我 (wǒ): This is the most common and neutral way to refer to oneself, used mainly in Pre-Qin Chinese.

For example, “其知我也。” (qí zhī wǒ yě.) This means "He knows me."

吾 (wú): This is another common way to say "I" or "me," though it is slightly more formal or literary than 我.

[ "我" was frequently used as an object pronoun or to show emphasis, whereas "吾" was rarely used as an object in affirmative sentences. So both can't be swapped.]

For example, “吾十有五而志于学。” (wú shí yòu wǔ ér zhì yú xué.) This means "At fifteen, I set my heart on learning."

予 / 余 (yú): These are formal ways to address oneself, often used by people of status or in poetic contexts. For example, “予谓菊，花之隐逸者也。” (yú wèi jú, huā zhī yǐn yì zhě yě.) This means "I think that the chrysanthemum is the recluse among flowers."

臣 (chén): This is a humble way to address oneself when speaking to a ruler or superior, literally meaning "your servant." For example, “臣闻大王将兴师。” (chén wén dà wáng jiāng xīng shī.) This means "I (your servant) have heard that the Great King is about to raise an army."

孤 (gū): This is a specialized term used by rulers or kings to refer to themselves, meaning "the lonely one" or "the orphaned one" (a sign of humility in power). For example, “孤不度德量力。” (gū bù dù dé liàng lì.) This means "I (this lonely king) did not estimate my virtue or measure my strength."

Ways to address "you" in 文言文 Classical Chinese.

子 (zǐ): This is a respectful way to address someone who is equal or superior to the speaker, such as a friend, a teacher, or a ruler.

For example, “子曰：学而时习之，不亦说乎？” (zǐ yuē: xué ér shí xí zhī, bù yì yuè hū?) This means "The Master said: Isn't it a joy to learn and practice what one has learned in due time?"

君 (jūn): This is a way to address someone who is the lord, the king, or the sovereign of the speaker, such as a ruler or a feudal lord. ["君子" is a way to say "gentleman" or "nobleman".]

For example, “君子不器。” (jūnzǐ bù qì.) This means "The gentleman is not a vessel. (is not like an implement that has a fixed form and whose operation is subject to its properties)"

汝 (rǔ): This is a way to address someone who is equal or inferior to the speaker, such as a friend, a servant, or a child.

For example, “汝何故迟也？” (rǔ hé gù chí yě?) This means "Why are you late?"

公 (gōng): This is a way to address someone who is a noble, a prince, or a high-ranking official, such as a duke or a minister.

For example, “公之于国也。” (gōng zhī yú guó yě.) This means "Your contribution to the state."

卿 (qīng): This is a way to address someone who is a close friend, a lover, or a subordinate, such as a general or a minister.

For example, “卿可谓善吏乎？” (qīng kě wèi shàn lì hū?) This means "Can you be called a good official?"

尔 (ěr): This is a way to address someone who is equal or inferior to the speaker, such as a friend, a servant, or a child. For example, “尔其学之。” (ěr qí xué zhī.) This means "You should learn it."

Ways to address "he/she/it/they" in 文言文 Classical Chinese.

Note: In Classical Chinese, third-person pronouns are often omitted if the subject is understood from the context. Furthermore, there is no gender distinction (he vs. she) in the written characters of that era.

其 (qí): This is the most versatile and common third-person pronoun, often used to mean "his," "her," "its," or "their."

For example, “工欲善其事，必先利其器。” (gōng yù shàn qí shì, bì xiān lì qí qì.) This means "A craftsman who wishes to perfect his work must first sharpen his tools."

之 (zhī): This is primarily used as an object pronoun (him, her, it, them) following a verb. F

or example, “爱之欲其生。” (ài zhī yù qí shēng.) This means "To love him (or it) is to wish him(or it) alive."

彼 (bǐ): This is a demonstrative pronoun meaning "that one" or "those".

For example, “知彼知己，百战不殆。” (zhī bǐ zhī jǐ, bǎi zhàn bù dài.) This means "Know it (the enemy) and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril."

渠 (qú): This emerged later in the development of the language (around the Han and Jin dynasties) as a more direct way to say "he" or "she." For example, “问渠那得清如许？” (wèn qú nǎ dé qīng rú xǔ?) This means "Asking it (the pond) how it can be so clear?"

伊 (yī): This was often used in poetry or more casual classical prose to refer to "that person" or "he/she." For example, “所谓伊人，在水一方。” (suǒ wèi yī rén, zài shuǐ yī fāng.) This means "She, the person of whom I speak, is on the other side of the water."