Today’s word of the day is 员 (yuán) which means ‘employee’. Let’s practice making different words, phrases, and sentences with 员 (yuán).
演员 (yǎn yuán) Actor
The first word is 演员 (yǎn yuán) which means ‘actor’. Let’s look at each character of this word, 演 means ‘to perform’ and 员 means ‘employee’. A way of using it in a sentence is: 我想当演员。(Wǒ xiǎng dāng yǎnyuán.) I want to be an actor.
服务员 (fú wù yuán) Waiter / Waitress
Another word we can create with 员 (yuán) is 服务员 (fú wù yuán). This means ‘waiter’ or ‘waitress’. Let’s again look at each character of this word, 服务 means ‘service’, and 员 means ‘employee’. A way of using it in a sentence is 服务员，我要点菜。(Fúwùyuán, wǒ yàodiǎn cài.) Waiter, I’d like to order.
店员 (diàn yuán) Store clerk
Finally, we can create the word 店员 (diàn yuán) which means ‘store clerk’. The 店 here means ‘store’. A sign you may see on store windows is 招聘店员。请进面洽。 (Zhāopìn diànyuán. Qǐng jìn miànqià.) Hiring store clerks. Apply within.