位
polite measure word for people; position
wèi
What does 位 mean?
位 (wèi) is the polite measure word for people — the respectful counterpart to the everyday 个 (gè). Use it for guests, customers, teachers, elders, professionals, audience members, or anyone you wish to honor: 三位老师 ('three teachers'), 这位先生 ('this gentleman'), 各位朋友 ('everyone, friends'). Service workers default to 位 to be polite: 'How many people?' at a restaurant is 几位？ not 几个人？.
Importantly, NEVER use 位 to count children, criminals, bad people, or yourself — it elevates the noun. Beyond the measure-word use, 位 also functions as a standalone noun meaning 'position / place / seat' (座位 'seat,' 位置 'position / location,' 学位 'academic degree'). The character is everywhere in formal Chinese and is one of the most useful HSK 3 measure words to learn early.
Note: 位 is the polite / respectful measure word for people. Use it for guests, teachers, customers, elders, or anyone you want to show respect to. For yourself or close friends, use 个
Character breakdown
(polite measure word for people); position; place
Memory hook: 亻(person radical) + 立 (stand) → a person standing in their place. Use it when honoring someone's place / standing.
Example sentences
请问几位？
Qǐng wèn jǐ wèi?
How many people, please?
polite
这位是我的老师。
Zhè wèi shì wǒ de lǎoshī.
This is my teacher.
polite
各位早上好！
Gè wèi zǎoshang hǎo!
Good morning, everyone!
formal
我们公司来了三位新员工。
Wǒmen gōngsī lái le sān wèi xīn yuángōng.
Three new employees joined our company.
neutral
Common phrases with 位
Synonyms
个 is the everyday / neutral measure word for people. 位 is the polite version. Use 个 for friends, yourself, casual references; 位 for guests, elders, customers, anyone you respect.
名 counts people by occupation or role in a formal / written register (三名学生 'three students,' 两名警察 'two policemen'). 位 emphasizes respect; 名 emphasizes formal enumeration.
Don't confuse 位 with
FAQ
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