ParticlesHSK 4
The "-er" Suffix with 者
者 is a formal written suffix attached to a verb or noun to mean "the person who [does something]" or "one who [is something]."
It is more common in written Chinese, classical-style expressions, or set phrases than in everyday spoken Chinese.
Structure
Verb / Noun + 者
Means "one who does V" or "a person of N."
Verb + 者 + Noun
In set phrases, 者 can link a description to a following noun, as in 作者的书 ("the author's book").
Examples
- 作者写了一个很有趣的故事。Zuò zhě xiě le yí gè hěn yǒu qù de gù shi.The author wrote a very interesting story.
- 医生是救人的工作者。Yī shēng shì jiù rén de gōng zuò zhě.Doctors are workers who save people.
- 读者可以在网上下载这本书。Dú zhě kě yǐ zài wǎng shàng xià zài zhè běn shū.Readers can download this book online.
- 他是这次比赛的获胜者。Tā shì zhè cì bǐ sài de huò shèng zhě.He is the winner of this competition.
- 志愿者们在社区里帮助老人。Zhì yuàn zhě men zài shè qū lǐ bāng zhù lǎo rén.The volunteers help elderly people in the community.