Nu (lit. slave, servant) is used in addressing superiors. It is also very generally used as a term of real or affected humility and self-depreciation, when the speaker wishes to honor or flatter the one whom he addresses.
Other terms, conveying the idea of inferiority or domesticity, often occupy the place of the possessive, my, mine. They are practical illustrations of the custom of speaking in humble or depreciatory terms of what belongs to one's self.
The following are familiar instances of such usage:–
- 家殳 ka ho, domestic-father–my father.
- 內人 nói ing, inner or secluded person–my wife.
- 賤內 chiéng nói ignoble-secluded-one–my wife.
- 賤恙 chiéng yong mean-sickness–my sickness.
- 舍侄 sia tik cottage-nephew–my nephew.
- 敝友 pe iu, abject-friend–my friend.
- 敝店 pe taing wretched-shop–my shop.
- 小𠆧 sieu nëng, small-man–my humble self.
The personal pronoun of the second person, 汝 nü, Thou, may be tabulated like that of the first person.
Instead of nü, the name or appropriate title of the person addressed is very often used, as 先生 sing sang, teacher, 大𠆧 twai nëng, great man, 老爺 ló ié, venerable sire.
Other terms, the counterparts of those in the first person, are used for the possessive, thy, thine. They exhibit the Chinese mode of honoring others by speaking respectfully of what belongs to them.
The following are instances:–
- 令正 leng cheng, excellent-correct–your wife.
- 令尊 leng chong, excellent-honored–your father.
- 尊君 chong kung, honored-chief–your father.
- 尊齒 chong ch‘i, honored-teeth–your age?
- 高壽 kó seu exalted-age or life–your age?
- 高見 kó kiéng, exalted-opinion–your opinion.
- 貴國 koi kwok, your honorable country.
- 貴姓 koi seng, your„ honorable„ surname.
- 貴東 koi tung, your„ honorable„ employer.
