Resource for the usage of Gender Neutral Pronouns in the Mandarin Chinese language: In our continuing effort to research the use of gender-neutral pronouns in languages around the world, we have added this article to document the use of gender-neutral pronouns and vocabulary in Mandarin Chinese usage.

Tā

Chinese traditionally lacks gender-neutral pronouns, and the language relies on context, titles, or names to specify gender. However, as awareness of gender diversity has grown, there have been efforts to introduce gender-neutral pronouns into the language.

One common gender-neutral pronoun that has gained some acceptance is “他/她/TA” (tā). While “他” (tā) typically means “he,” and “她” (tā) typically means “she,” “TA” can be used as a gender-neutral alternative to refer to someone without specifying their gender. This usage is not universally accepted and may not be familiar to all Chinese speakers, but it is gaining recognition, especially in online and LGBTQ+ communities.

Spoken Chinese has only a single third-person pronoun, tā, which is in itself gender-neutral. Chinese grammar does not require speakers to mention gender (like French, or Italian for example), so Chinese speakers often don’t. When used in written Chinese however tā there is gender specification. There is also a new Chinese character that contains an “X” that is being used by some non-binary people.

X也

The use of “x” or similar letters in pronouns, such as “他/她/它/牠/祂/人/x” (tā), where “x” is used as a placeholder for a gender-neutral pronoun, has been proposed and discussed in various online communities, particularly in the context of LGBTQ+ activism in modern Chinese there has been a new use of “X也.”  The character ‘X也’ is pronounced as ‘X yě’ in Mandarin Chinese.

These attempts aim to create a more inclusive language for non-binary and gender-diverse individuals. However, it’s important to note that these proposals are not universally accepted, and their adoption may vary among different groups and regions.

Remember that the acceptance and usage of gender-neutral pronouns in Chinese can vary depending on region, community, and individual attitudes. It’s essential to be respectful of people’s pronouns and identities, and it’s a good practice to ask people about their pronoun preferences if you are unsure.

Our Mandarin instructor Linna, offers some more information on the subject:

In modern Chinese, the commonly used pronouns to address others are: 他he, 她she, 它it, 他们they (masculine), 她们they (feminine), 它们they (neutral).

The use of gender-neutral pronouns in Chinese needs to be determined according to the context and occasion, and different services can express different meanings and attitudes. In Chinese, gender-neutral pronouns are often used to refer to people or things without gender characteristics or to refer to specific people or things in general. For example, “他” can refer to males, females, or people of uncertain gender, and “他们” can refer to a group of people or certain things. In some cases, the use of gender-neutral pronouns can avoid gender discrimination or unnecessary gender distinctions. However, in some cases, the use of gender-neutral pronouns may also cause misunderstandings or unnecessary disputes. For example, in some specific contexts, using “他” or “她” can more accurately express the meaning, while using “它” may cause ambiguity or be considered disrespectful. In addition, in some formal occasions, the use of gender-neutral pronouns may also be regarded as discourteous or impolite. Therefore, when using gender-neutral pronouns in Chinese, it is necessary to determine the usage according to the context and occasion and pay attention to avoid unnecessary disputes or misunderstandings.

For those who do not wish to be addressed by gender, we can consider using some gender-neutral terms, such as:

1. Using names or nicknames: This is the most direct and respectful way to avoid using any gender-specific pronouns. Such as Laotie（老铁）, Xiao(小) x (x is the surname), x Tongzhi(同志).
2. Using “Mr.”（先生）, “Ms.”（女士）, “Mrs.”（夫人）, “Miss”（小姐）, etc.: These titles can be used to address anyone without a specific gender, and they are polite and respectful.
3. Using “everyone”（大家）, “all”（各位）, etc.: These plural forms can be used to address a group of people or people of uncertain gender, which are neutral and respectful.
4. Using “he/she”（他/她） or “they”（他们/她们/它们）: In some specific contexts, these pronouns can be used to refer to specific people or things without having to specify a gender.
5. Address by profession, such as student（同学）, teacher（老师）, senior（前辈）, master（师傅）.
6. If it’s a close relationship, you can call them “dear”（亲）, “my love”（亲爱的）, “baby”（宝贝）.
7. For strangers, we can directly address them by their identity, such as ‘dear passengers’(各位乘客), or say ‘Hello, may I ask you…’（您好，请问您…）

In summary, for those who do not wish to be addressed by gender, we should use neutral terms as much as possible and avoid using pronouns that may cause controversy or misunderstanding. At the same time, we should respect the other party’s wishes and feelings and avoid using any terms that may make them feel uncomfortable or disrespected.

• Standard gender-neutral terms include “person, friend, family, colleague, student, teacher, parents, siblings, neighbor, friend, classmate, companion, colleague, compatriot, comrade, circle of friends, family, team, society, community, club, organization, country, world”（ “人、朋友、家人、同事、学生、老师、父母、兄弟姐妹、邻居、朋友、同学、同伴、同事、同胞、同志、朋友圈、家庭、团队、社会、社区、社团、组织、国家、世界”）, etc.
• In ancient China, there were words similar to modern, gender-neutral pronouns, such as “尔”, “汝”, “若”, “乃”, etc. These words can be used to refer to people or things without gender characteristics or to refer to specific people or things in general. For example, “尔” can be used to address the other party, equivalent to the modern “you”; “汝” can be used to address the other party, equal to the contemporary “you”; “若” can be used to refer to specific people or things; “乃” can be used as a pronoun, equivalent to the modern “you”.