Pronunciation: tong zhi

One fashionably dressed woman shook hands with a gentle-like guy. Both seems excited and address each other with a low but a meaningful tone. It is a common scene when those who took part in the Communist Party (also called underground party around 1930s for it is illegal) learned the other's real identity in the TV drama or movie reflecting the revolutionary theme. In that situation, "tongzhi" has more revolutionary style, revealing those who are addressed "tongzhi" are striving for one great and lofty cause.

Now, "tong zhi"are still used with a formal and serious meaning, which usually goes after one's name in some reports of official media.

It deserves a mention there is a new meaning of the word "tongzhi". Be careful to use it in some casual occasion, for it may link to GAY in some occasions.

Pronunciation: xian sheng

This is seldom used for it had something to do with capitalism-before 1949, the female rich guy, most of whom are exploiting class, were addressed "Xian sheng".

Xian sheng is also more formal but it usually used to address people in Business occasions. In some important parties, one well-educated woman love to introduce her husband as :

(This is my husband.)

But when she talk with some close friends when she mentions her husband, she usually says:

(This is my husband.)

Pronunciation: tong shi

"tong shi" is more commonly to address their colleagues.

Pronunciation: tong xue