伙计 (huǒjì): buddy; pal; mate

Measure Word

一个伙计 gè

嘿，伙计，怎么样？

Hēi, huǒjì, zěnmeyàng?

Hey buddy, how's it going?

听着，伙计，这事不简单。

Tīng zhe, 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