位

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.