你是谁
nǐ shì shéi
Who are you · trad. 你是誰
你是谁 (nǐ shì shéi) is the most direct way to ask "who are you?" in Mandarin Chinese. It's used when you genuinely don't know someone's identity or are surprised by their presence. While direct, it can sometimes sound a bit blunt depending on the context.
What does 你是谁 (nǐ shì shéi) mean?
你是谁 (nǐ shì shéi) means “who are you” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “you are who.”
When to use it
Direct and generally neutral, but can be perceived as impolite or confrontational in certain situations, especially with strangers or in formal settings. For a more polite or formal inquiry, use 您是哪位 (nín shì nǎ wèi) or simply 哪位 (nǎ wèi) when asking "who is this?" (e.g., on the phone).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "nee shrr shway." The 'sh' in 是 and 谁 is like the 'sh' in 'shoe.' The tone of 你 is a third tone, 是 is a fourth tone, and 谁 is a second tone.
Other ways to say it
- 您是哪位nín shì nǎ wèiwho are you (polite/formal)
- 你是哪位nǐ shì nǎ wèiwho are you (polite, less formal)
- 他是谁tā shì shéiwho is he/she
Examples
你是谁？为什么在这里？
nǐ shì shéi? wèishénme zài zhèlǐ?
Who are you? Why are you here?
请问，您是哪位？
qǐngwèn, nín shì nǎ wèi?
Excuse me, who are you? (polite, e.g., at the door)
你是哪位？我好像不认识你。
nǐ shì nǎ wèi? wǒ hǎoxiàng bù rènshi nǐ.
Who are you? I don't seem to know you.
Pro tip: While 你是谁 is grammatically correct, it can sound quite direct or even challenging. For politeness, especially when speaking to elders, strangers, or in formal situations, it's better to use 您是哪位 (nín shì nǎ wèi), which translates more softly as 'who might you be?'
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