(gé xià) - Your Excellency, sir (formal term of address) in Mandarin
géxiàTraditional: 閣下
Translation
Your Excellency, sir (formal term of address)
Word origin
From 阁 (gé, a pavilion or chamber) and 下 (xià, below), a classical politeness that addresses the space beneath someone's chamber rather than the person directly.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 阁 (gé, chamber) + 下 (xià, below)
Stroke order
阁
下
Examples
，。
This way please, sir.
。
His Excellency the ambassador has arrived.
吩咐？
What are your orders, sir?
。
I thanked them on your behalf, sir.
封。
This letter is addressed to Your Excellency.
阁下 (gé xià) is a formal second person address, roughly Your Excellency or sir. Diplomacy is its home ground: it follows a title in things like 大使阁下 and 首相阁下, and it is standard in translated speeches and official letters.
You will meet it far more often in subtitles than in the street. Films and games use it for nobles, commanders and anyone being spoken to with careful deference, and it turns up in Japanese and Korean drama translations for the same reason.
Two things to watch. It is not a general polite you; that is 您. And among Chinese speakers online it is often faintly sarcastic, a mock bow at someone being pompous. In real conversation, reach for 您 or 先生 and leave 阁下 to the ambassadors.
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阁下: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "阁下" (Your Excellency, sir (formal term of address)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 42.