The order of a Chinese name is:
| family name + given name | |
| 姓 | 名字 |
| xìng | míngzi |
| 王 | 莉花 |
| Wáng | Lìhuā |
| 张/張 | 伟明/偉明 |
| Zhāng | Wěimíng |
In this book we translate Chinese names using Chinese word order. That is, 王莉花 Wáng Lìhuā is translated as ‘Wang Lihua’ and not ‘Lihua Wang.’
There are over 3500 Chinese family names. However, of these, only about 100 occur widely. This is probably the basis of the expression 老百姓 lǎobǎixìng ‘the old 100 family names,’ which is used to refer to ‘the people’ or ‘the common man.’
The three most common Chinese family names are 李 Lǐ, 王 Wáng, and 张/張 Zhāng. The next most common family names, representing the overwhelming majority of Chinese people, are 刘/劉 Liú, 陈/陳 Chén, 杨/楊 Yáng, 赵/趙 Zhào, 黄 Huáng, 周 Zhōu, 吴/吳 Wú, 徐 Xú, 孙/孫 Sūn, 胡 Hú, 朱 Zhū, 高 Gāo, 林 Lín, 何 Hé, 郭 Guō, and 马/馬 Mǎ.
Most family names are a single character/single syllable in length. However, there are a small number of two-character/two-syllable Chinese family names. The most common are 司马/司馬 Sīmǎ, 司徒 Sītú, 欧阳/歐陽 Oūyáng, and 皇甫 Huángfǔ.
A given name consists of one or two characters/syllables. There is no fixed inventory of given names in Chinese as there is in English such as Ruth, Michael, Lisa, and Mark. Instead, names express meaning, and families select as names, words or phrases with positive connotations that they wish to associate with their child. While this method of naming is also used in the West, it is the exception rather than the rule.
In the traditional naming process, the first character of a given name is a generational name: all children in the family who are of the same gender and in the same generation share the same first character in their given name. The second character reflects some other positive characteristic. Thus, brothers might be named 亦豪 Yì Háo (talent) and 亦强/亦強 Yì Qiáng (strength). Sisters might be named 颖怡/穎怡 Yǐng Yí (joyful) and 颖美/穎美 Yǐng Měi (beautiful).
Modern naming practice often does not include a generational name. This is especially common in mainland China. Instead, given names reflect positive attributes, and may be one or two syllables in length.
Given names are personal and somewhat private. In general, they are only used as terms of address by good friends and close acquaintances, and in closed settings such as a family, classroom, or office, where people are members of a well-defined group. Often, people use kinship terms and titles rather than names when addressing and referring to others.
Here are the most commonly used kinship terms and the distinctions that they reflect.
| Male | Female | ||||
| 父亲/父親 | fùqin | father | 母亲/母親 | mǔqīn | mother |
| 爸爸 | bàba | dad | 妈妈/媽媽 | māma | mom |
| 哥哥 | gēge | brother older than self | 姐姐 | jiějie | sister older than self |
| 弟弟 | dìdi | brother younger than self | 妹妹 | mèimei | sister younger than self |
The reference point for siblings is oneself. For example, an older brother is a brother older than oneself. If you are male and have an older brother and a younger brother, then your younger brother has two older brothers.
Your family from your perspective
我有一个哥哥、一个弟弟。
我有一個哥哥、一個弟弟。
Wǒ yǒu yī gè gēge, yī gè dìdi.
I have one older brother and one younger brother.
Your family from your younger brother’s perspective
我有两个哥哥，没有弟弟。
我有兩個哥哥，沒有弟弟。
Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè gēge, méi yǒu dìdi.
I have two older brothers and no younger brother.
| Paternal | Maternal | ||||
| 祖父 | zǔfù (fml) | grandfather | 外公 | wàigōng (fml) | grandfather |
| 爷爷/爺爺 | yéye (inf) | (father’s father) | 公公 | gōnggōng (inf) | (mother’s father) |
| 祖母 | zǔmǔ (fml) | grandmother | 外婆 | wàipó (fml) | grandmother |
| 奶奶 | nǎinai (inf) | (father’s mother) | 姥姥 | lǎolǎo (inf) | (mother’s mother) |
| 叔叔 | shūshu | uncle (on father’s side) | 舅舅 | jiùjiu | uncle (on mother’s side) |
| 姑姑 | gūgu | aunt (on father’s side) | 阿姨 | āyí | aunt (on mother’s side) |
| 堂哥 | tánggē | male cousin older than self | 表哥 | biǎogē | male cousin older than self |
| 堂弟 | tángdì | male cousin younger than self | 表弟 | biǎodì | male cousin younger than self |
| 堂姐 | tángjiě | female cousin older than self | 表姐 | biǎojiě | female cousin older than self |
| 堂妹 | tángmèi | female cousin younger than self | 表妹 | biǎomèi | female cousin younger than self |
| 公公 | gōnggong | father-in-law (husband’s father) | 岳父 | yuèfù | father-in-law (wife’s father) |
| 婆婆 | pópo | mother-in-law (husband’s mother) | 岳母 | yuèmǔ | mother-in-law (wife’s mother) |
fml = formal term, inf = informal term
Titles refer to gender and marital status, education, or occupation. When a name includes a title, the order of information is as follows:
| family name | (+ given name) | + | title |
| 王 | 莉花 | 博士 | |
| Wáng | Lìhuā | bóshì | |
| Ph.D. (Dr.) |
Dr. Wang Lihua
Chinese people often use titles when addressing others or when talking about others. Titles may be used alone or with the family name and given name.
NOTE
In Taiwan, the title generally follows the family name: family name + title + given name.
The most common titles used to reflect gender and marital status are:
| 先生 | 王先生 |
| xiānsheng | Wáng xiānsheng |
| Mr. | Mr. Wang |
| 太太 | 王太太 |
| tàitai | Wáng tàitai |
| 夫人 | 王夫人 |
| fūren | Wáng fūren |
| Mrs. | Mrs. Wang |
| 小姐 | 王小姐 |
| xiǎojie | Wáng xiǎojie |
| 女士 | 王女士 |
| nǚshì | Wáng nǚshì |
| Miss | Miss Wang |
NOTE
The titles 先生 xiānsheng ‘Mr.,’ 太太 tàitai ‘Mrs.,’ and 小姐 xiǎojie ‘Miss’ are standard expressions in Taiwan but are not commonly used in mainland China. There is no standardly used expression in mainland China for either Mr. or Mrs. The expression 姑娘 gǔniang is gaining popularity as a way of addressing or referring to young women in mainland China, but it is only appropriate when used by those at least one generation older than the young woman. It is not used together with a name.
Commonly used professional titles include:
| 医生/醫生 | 大夫 |
| yīshēng | dàifu |
| doctor | doctor |
| 护士/護士 | 师傅/師傅 |
| hùshì | shīfu |
| nurse | master (skilled person) |
| 老师/老師 | 教授 |
| lǎoshī | jiàoshòu |
| teacher | professor |
| 律师/律師 | 法官 |
| lǜshī | fǎguān |
| lawyer | judge, justice |
| 主席 | 校长/校長 |
| zhǔxí | xiàozhǎng |
| chairperson of a political party, etc. | principal |
| 警察 | 公关/公關 |
| jǐngchá | gōngguān |
| police officer | receptionist |
| 秘书/祕書 | 秘书长/祕書長 |
| mìshū | mìshūzhǎng |
| secretary | secretary general |
| 主任 | 司机/司機 |
| zhǔrèn | sījī |
| director of a department, chairperson of a department |
driver; chauffeur |
| 大使 | 总统/總統 |
| dàshǐ | zǒngtǒng |
| ambassador | president, chief of state |
| 经理/經理 | 总经理/總經理 |
| jīnglǐ | zǒngjīnglǐ |
| manager | general manager |
| 博士 bóshì | (abbreviated to 总/總 zǒng 王总/王總 |
| doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) | Wáng zǒng General Manager Wang) |
Close friends may address each other using family name and given name together, or, if they are very close, by given name alone.
王莉花，早。
Wáng Lìhuā, zǎo.
Wang Lihua, good morning.
莉花，最近怎么样？
莉花，最近怎麼樣？
Lìhuā, zuì jìn zěnmeyàng?
Lihua, how have you been recently?
Friends or close acquaintances may also address each other using the prefix 老 lǎo ‘old’ or 小 xiǎo ‘small’ before the family name as follows:
| 老高 | Lǎo Gāo | Old Gao | 小高 | Xiǎo Gāo | Little Gao |
| 老王 | Lǎo Wáng | Old Wang | 小王 | Xiǎo Wáng | Little Wang |
老 lǎo and 小 xiǎo do not literally mean ‘old’ and ‘little’ here. 老 lǎo is used for those older than oneself, and 小 xiǎo is used for those younger than oneself.
In China, people use kinship terms rather than names to address relatives. Kinship terms are also used in informal contexts to address people who are not relatives. The term that is used depends upon the age and gender of the person whom you are addressing. Here are the kinship terms most commonly used when talking with people who are not your relatives.
| 大哥 dà gē | 大姐 dà jiě |
older brother (title for man near your age but older than you) |
older sister (title for woman near your age but older than you) |
| 叔叔 shūshu | 阿姨 āyí |
uncle (title for man who is about your father’s age) |
aunt (title for woman who is about your mother’s age or older) |
| 爷爷/爺爺 yéye | 奶奶 nǎinai |
grandfather (title for man who is about your grandfather’s age) |
grandmother (title for woman who is about your grandmother’s age) |
The following terms are used in informal contexts to address strangers
小伙子 |
xiǎo huǒzi |
young fellow (used to address young boys – very colloquial) |
小朋友 |
xiǎo péngyǒu |
little friend (commonly used to address children) |
朋友 |
péngyou |
friend (often used by shopkeepers to address customers) |
帅哥/帥哥 |
shuài gē |
handsome guy (used when addressing a young man one does not know, especially in the context of a restaurant or store) |
美女 |
měi nǚ |
beautiful girl (used when addressing a young women one does not know, especially in the context of a restaurant or store) |
Titles are commonly used as terms of address. The titles 先生 xiānsheng ‘Mr.,’ 太太 tàitai ‘Mrs.,’ 小姐 xiǎojie ‘Miss,’ and 师傅/師傅 shīfu ‘master’ are used alone without any additional name to address strangers in a polite way. 师傅/師傅 shīfu ‘master’ is often used in mainland China as a polite way to address a man in relatively informal contexts. 小姐 xiǎojie, 姑娘 gūniang, and 美女 měi nǚ are used to address young women in service positions such as in restaurants and shops. 帅哥/帥哥 shuài gē is used to address young men in service positions. 夫人 fūren ‘Mrs.’ and 女士 nǚshì ’Miss’ are very formal and their use is restricted to formal contexts such as speeches and formal events. The titles presented in 22.3.2 can all be used as terms of address. For occupations that are not used as titles or terms of address, see
► 23.3
When you meet someone for the first time, you need to determine how to address them. Since given names are not freely used, and family names are generally not used alone, an initial conversation usually includes some negotiation about terms of address. The most common expressions are as follows.
The neutral and most common way to inquire about someone’s family name is:
你姓什么？
你姓甚麼？
Nǐ xìng shénme?
What is your family name? (neutral question)
A more formal and polite way to inquire about someone’s family name is:
你貴姓？/ 你贵姓
Nǐ guì xìng?
What is your family name? (polite, formal)
The most common way to reply to either of these questions is:
我姓(王)。
Wǒ xìng (Wáng).
My family name is (Wang).
A very polite and humble response to the formal question is:
敝姓(王)。
Bì xìng (Wáng).
My humble family name is (Wang).
While the polite form of the question is fairly common, the polite humble form of the response is rarely used.
The neutral and most common way to inquire about someone’s family name and given name is:
你姓什么，叫什么名字？
你姓甚麼，叫甚麼名字？
Nǐ xìng shénme, jiào shénme míngzi?
What is your family name and what is your given name?
The neutral and most common way to respond to this question is:
我姓(王)，叫(莉花)。
Wǒ xìng (Wáng), jiào (Lìhuā).
My family name is (Wang), my given name is (Lihua).
The very polite way to inquire about someone’s family name and given name is:
请问，尊姓大名？
請問，尊姓大名?
Qǐng wèn, zūnxìng dàmíng?
Excuse me, what is your (honorable) name?
The polite, humble response to this question is:
敝姓(王)，小名(建国)。
敝姓(王)，小名(建國)。
Bì xìng (Wáng), xiǎo míng (Jiànguó).
My humble family name is (Wang), and my small name is (Jianguo).
People often do not inquire about given names when they first meet. When you have established a friendship, you may inquire about a given name by asking:
你叫什么名字？
你叫甚麼名字？
Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
What is your name?
The reply to this question is either the family name plus the given name, or the given name alone:
我叫(王玫玲)。
Wǒ jiào (Wáng Méilíng).
I am called (Wang Meiling). (My name is Wang Meiling.)
To make a general inquiry about someone’s identity, ask:
你是谁？
你是誰？
Nǐ shì shéi?
Who are you?
你是…？
Nǐ shì…?
Are you…?
你是哪位？
Nǐ shì něi wèi?
Who are you? (polite)
To learn how someone prefers to be addressed by you, ask:
我应该怎么称呼你？
我應該怎麼稱呼你？
Wǒ yīnggāi zěnme chēnghu nǐ?
How should I address you?
Name cards and business cards are widely used in China, and people often exchange name cards when they meet for the first time. The information on a person’s name card will help you to determine how to address him or her.
When handing your card to someone, use both hands, and give it to the person so that the writing is facing him or her. Receive a card with both hands, read the card, and thank the person who gave you the card or comment on the information on the card so that it is clear that you have read it. If business cards are exchanged during a meeting or a meal, it is customary to place the cards you receive on the table, arranged according to hierarchy, so that you can refer to them as you talk.
The organization of the Chinese name card or business card is typically as follows:
In mainland China, cards written in Chinese are usually printed horizontally. In Taiwan, cards may also be printed vertically.
The name of the recipient is typically followed by the recipient’s title, or the title plus the expression 收 shōu, 启/啟 qǐ, or 大启/大啟 dà qǐ. 启/啟 qǐ and 大启/大啟 dà qǐ are more formal than 收 shōu. All three expressions mean ‘recipient.’
The name of the sender may be followed by the expression 寄 jì or 缄/緘 jiān. 缄/緘 jiān is more formal than 寄 jì. Both expressions mean ‘sender.’
In vertical format, addresses are written from top to bottom.
Addresses in China are presented from the largest unit to the smallest. If the postal code is included in the address, it occurs before the name of the city.
The major regional distinctions used in addresses in order of size are as follows:
| 省 | 县/縣 | 市 | 乡/鄉 | 镇/镇 | 村 |
| shěng | xiàn | shì | xiāng | zhèn | cūn |
| province | county | city | town | township | village |
The terms used to refer to the units in street addresses differ somewhat in Taiwan and in mainland China. Here is a summary of the most common terms. The term 胡同 hútong ‘alley’ is used in Beijing, though as streets are restructured, alleys are being eliminated.
| Terms used in Taiwan | Terms used in mainland China | ||||
| 段 | duàn | section | 区/區 | qū | district |
| 区/區 | qū | district | (大)街 | (dà)jiē | street |
| 巷 | xiàng | alley | 路 | lù | road, street |
| 弄 | lòng | alley, lane | 胡同 | hútong | alley |
| 里 | lǐ | neighborhood | 号/號 | hào | number |
| 路 | lù | road, street | |||
| 号/號 | hào | number | |||
Two sample addresses in Beijing:
北京市西城区红星胡同18号
北京市西城區紅星胡同18號
Běijīng shì xīchéng qū hóngxīng hútong 18 hào
18 Red Star Alley, West District, Beijing
北京市新街口南大街十号
北京市新街口南大街十號
Běijīng shì xīn jiē kǒu nán dà jiē shí hào
10 South Xinjiekou Street, Beijing
In Beijing, street names often make reference to their location inside or outside of a traditional city gate. Here is an example:
建国门外大街
建國門外大街
Jiànguó mén wài dà jiē
the big street outside of the Jianguo Gate
Three sample addresses in Taiwan:
台北市和平东路一段162号
臺北市和平東路一段162號
Táiběi shì Hépíng dōng lù yī duàn 162 hào
162 Section 1 Hoping East Road, Taipei
40744台中市西屯区台中港路三段181号
40744臺中市西屯區臺中港路三段181號
40744 Táizhōng shì xī tún qū Táizhōng gǎng lù sān duàn 181 hào
181 Section 3 Taichung Harbor Road, Xitun District, Taichung, 40744
高雄县清水镇永康乡，镇南里冈山南路42号
高雄縣清水鎮永康鄉，鎮南裏岡山南路42號
Gāoxióng xiàn qīngshuǐ zhèn yǒngkāng xiāng, zhèn nán lǐ gāng shān nán lù 42 hào
42 South Gangshan Road, Zhennan Neighborhood, Yongkang Village, Qingshui Township, Gaoxiong (County)
For greetings and goodbyes in letters, see
► 24.3