Formal:
* 我们 (wǒmen): This is the most common and general way to say "we". It's suitable for most situations.
Informal:
* 咱们 (zánmen): This is a more informal and friendly way to say "we". It implies inclusiveness, suggesting the speaker and listener are part of the same group.
* 咱们俩 (zánmen liǎ): This is used specifically to refer to "we two", meaning the speaker and the person being addressed.
Other possibilities:
* 俺们 (ǎnmen): This is a more colloquial and regional way to say "we" in northern China.
* 咱 (zán): This is a very informal and casual way to say "we" that's mostly used in spoken language, particularly in northern China.
Example sentences:
* 我们去吃饭吧。 (wǒmen qù chīfàn ba.) Let's go eat. (Formal)
* 咱们一起去吧。 (zánmen yīqǐ qù ba.) Let's go together. (Informal)
* 咱们俩一起去逛街吧。 (zánmen liǎ yīqǐ qù guàngjiē ba.) Let's go shopping together, the two of us. (Informal)
Choosing the right "we"
It's important to consider the situation and the relationship with the person you are speaking to when choosing which word to use. If you are unsure, it's always better to err on the side of formality and use "我们 (wǒmen)".