伙计 (huǒ jì) is a colloquial noun with two main uses in modern Mandarin. Literally, 伙 means 'group' or 'comrade', and 计 comes from an old word for 'person' or 'attendant'; together they originally referred to fellow workers or partners in a business. Today, in Northern China especially, it’s commonly used as a friendly, informal term of address meaning 'buddy', 'pal', or 'mate'—similar to 'hey there' or 'dude' in English, often among peers or in relaxed settings.

The second common usage is occupational: in shops, restaurants, or small businesses (particularly in Beijing and surrounding areas), 伙计 refers to a shop assistant, waiter, or junior staff member—akin to 'server' or 'clerk'. Unlike formal titles like 服务员 (fú wù yuán), 伙计 carries warmth and familiarity but may sound outdated or regional outside the North. It’s rarely used in formal writing or national broadcasts, and never for self-reference ('I am a 伙计') unless jokingly.