伙计 (huǒjì): buddy; pal; mate

Measure Word

一个伙计 gè

Hēi, huǒjì, zěnmeyàng?

Hey buddy, how's it going?

Tīngzhe, huǒjì, zhè shì bù jiǎnDān.

Listen, pal, this isn't simple.

usage

伙计 is the go-to translation for 'buddy/pal/dude' in dubbed movies and TV shows. In older or regional usage, it means 'shop clerk'.

history

Originally 伙计 referred to a shop assistant or business partner (伙 = group, 计 = count/plan). The casual 'buddy' meaning came later.

伙 huǒ

计 jì