谁 vs 哪位 (shéi vs nǎ wèi): polite vs neutral ‘who’
谁 (shéi) is the neutral, everyday word for ‘who’, suitable for casual conversation but potentially blunt with strangers. 哪位 (nǎ wèi) is the polite, formal equivalent, used to show respect when asking about someone’s identity, especially in service or first-encounter settings.
Both 谁 and 哪位 ask about a person’s identity, but they differ in register. 谁 is the default, neutral question word for ‘who’, used among friends, in casual speech, or when politeness is not required. 哪位, literally ‘which (honored) person’, is the polite/formal version, appropriate when addressing strangers, customers, elders, or in any context where respect matters. Choosing the wrong one can make you sound blunt or overly formal, so understanding the social situation is key.
When to use each
Use 谁 in everyday conversation with friends, family, or colleagues you are familiar with. It is also fine in neutral contexts like ‘Who did that?’ or ‘Who is coming?’ when politeness is not a priority.
Using 谁 with strangers or in formal situations can come across as abrupt or rude, especially in direct questions like ‘你是谁？’ (Who are you?).
Use 哪位 to ask politely about someone’s identity, particularly with strangers, in customer service, when answering the phone, or in formal introductions. It softens the question and shows respect.
At a glance
| 谁 | 哪位 | |
|---|---|---|
| Politeness level | Neutral – can be blunt | Polite – respectful |
| Typical context | Casual conversation, friends, family | Service encounters, strangers, formal settings |
| Literal meaning | ‘who’ (no honorific nuance) | ‘which honored person’ (位 is a polite measure word for people) |
| Negation | 谁都可以 (anyone is fine) – neutral | 哪位都可以 – also possible but less common; retains some formality |
Examples
- 谁谁来了？Shéi lái le?Who came?Neutral question, fine among friends.
- 哪位请问，您是哪位？Qǐngwèn, nín shì nǎ wèi?Excuse me, who are you? (polite)Use of 您 (polite ‘you’) and 请问 (may I ask) reinforces politeness.
- 谁谁是老师？Shéi shì lǎoshī?Who is the teacher?Neutral question – acceptable in a classroom.
- 哪位您是哪位？我想找王经理。Nín shì nǎ wèi? Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo Wáng jīnglǐ.Who are you (polite)? I’d like to speak to Manager Wang.Appropriate on the phone or in a formal office.
- 谁✗你是谁？——对陌生人用'哪位'更礼貌。✗ Nǐ shì shéi? — duì mòshēngrén yòng 'nǎ wèi' gèng lǐmào.✗ Who are you? — using '哪位' is more polite to strangers.Shows incorrect usage for a stranger; 哪位 would be appropriate.
Common mistakes
- Using 谁 when asking a stranger’s name in a formal setting – use 哪位 instead.
- Using 哪位 with close friends or family – it sounds overly polite and unnatural.
- Confusing 哪位 with 哪个 (nǎge, ‘which one’) – 哪个 asks about objects or choices, not people politely.
FAQ
- When do I use 谁 vs 哪位?
- Use 谁 in casual or neutral situations (friends, family, informal inquiries). Use 哪位 when you need to be polite, such as with strangers, customers, elders, or in formal phone calls.
- Can I use 哪位 for ‘which one’ when talking about people?
- Yes, 哪位 literally means ‘which (honored) person’, so it always refers to a person. For non-human objects, use 哪个 (nǎge).
- Is it okay to use 谁 with a polite tone if I add 请问?
- It helps, but 请问你是谁？ is still less polite than 请问您是哪位？ because it lacks the respectful measure word 位 and the polite pronoun 您. For maximum politeness, use 哪位.
- Do I need to use 哪位 on the phone?
- Yes, it is standard and polite to say ‘您是哪位？’ when answering a call from an unknown person. Saying ‘你是谁？’ would sound very rude.