熟人 (shú rén) literally combines 熟 (shú), meaning 'familiar' or 'well-known', and 人 (rén), meaning 'person'. Together, it refers to someone you know personally but not intimately — an acquaintance. Unlike 朋友 (péng you, 'friend'), a 熟人 is someone you’ve met before, perhaps exchanged greetings or small talk with, but with whom you don’t share close personal ties or regular social interaction.

This term is commonly used in everyday contexts involving social recognition: seeing someone at a café, workplace, neighborhood, or event where you recognize them and may nod or say hello, but wouldn’t necessarily invite them to dinner or confide in them. It reflects a culturally important distinction in Chinese social relationships — emphasizing the gradation between strangers, acquaintances, friends, and family. 熟人 often implies mutual recognition and minimal prior contact, without implying warmth or depth.