Suffixes - 们、 边
后缀 — —们、—边
The suffixes 们 and 边 are added after a word. 们 forms the plural of personal pronouns and certain nouns of people. 边 is added to position words to form place names.
Structure
Pronoun / Person Name + 们 → plural Position + 边 → place name
Elements
们边
How to use it
- 们 after personal pronouns: 我们 (we), 你们 (you), 他们 (they).
- 们 after a person name for a group: 同学们 (classmates), 朋友们 (friends).
- 边 after a position word: 左边 (left), 右边 (right), 前边 (in front of), 后边 (behind).
Examples
他们是我的朋友。
tāmen shì wǒ de péngyou。
They are my friends.
前边有一个商店。
qián biān yǒu(yì)diǎnr yī gè shāngdiàn。
There is a store in front of it.
学校在左边。
xuéxiào zài zuǒbian。
The school is to the left.
同学们好！
tóngxué men hǎo！
Hello, classmates!
Notes and exceptions
- 们 is used only with person names, never with objects: one does not say *书们.
- 边 and 面 (HSK2) are often interchangeable: 左边 = 左面.
- 们 : plural (suffix). This character indicates that the phrase or name mentioned concerns multiple people or entities, but it does not specify exactly how many.
- 边 : side; border.
Common mistakes
- Do not add 们 to objects: *猫们 is incorrect (say 猫 for a cat or several cats).
- 们 is not mandatory if a number already specifies the quantity: *三个学生们 → 三个学生.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. 他____是我的朋友。
(They are my friends.)
2. 前____有一个商店。
(There is a store in front of it.)
3. 学校在左____。
(The school is to the left.)
4. 同学____好！
(Hello, classmates!)