What’s your name in Chinese?
Your name is often the first thing you say in a conversation. In China, though, you need to think about it for a moment. That’s because it’s common there to adapt your name. In this blog, you’ll read how that works and how to choose a Chinese name that suits you.
Before choosing a Chinese name, it helps to understand how Chinese words are written and pronounced. Pinyin makes this much easier by showing the pronunciation of Chinese characters with the Latin alphabet. Read more in our article ‘Learning Chinese with pinyin: easier than you think’.
A tongue twister in Chinese
In Chinese, every character has its own meaning and sound. Western names can sometimes sound strange or be difficult for Chinese people to pronounce. That’s why many Westerners who have business contacts or work in China choose to “translate” or adapt their names. It’s a practical way to make communication easier.
Three ways to use your name
There are roughly three ways to use your name in Chinese. Which one you choose depends on your goal and how deeply you want to immerse yourself in the language.
1. Phonetic: your name sounds (almost) the same
The easiest way is to represent your name phonetically with Chinese sounds. That way you get a name that sounds good to Chinese ears but still resembles your real name.
For example:
- Mark → 马克 (Mǎkè)
- Lisa → 丽莎 (Lìshā)
Note: every Chinese character also has a meaning. Mǎkè literally means something like “horse” and “to overcome.” That sounds nice, but not every combination of sounds produces beautiful meanings. That’s why it requires a bit more thought when choosing a translated Chinese name. People choose carefully here.
2. Translate your name by meaning
Some people choose a name based on the meaning of their original name. This way, your Chinese name has a direct link to who you are.
For example:
- Victor (winner) → 胜利 (Shènglì) = victory
- Grace (grace, elegance) → 恩雅 (Ēnyǎ) = kindness and elegance
This is especially nice if your name has a strong meaning and you want something that fits well with your character or profession.
3. Choose (or receive) a completely new Chinese name
In China, it’s very normal to give someone a name that sounds good, is easy to write, and has a beautiful meaning. If you study Chinese longer or go to live or work there, it can make sense to use a fully Chinese name. A local colleague or friend will be happy to help you. Choosing a name is almost an art form in China.
First your family name
In Chinese, the surname always comes first, so:
你好，我叫李安娜。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào Lǐ Ānnà.
Hello, my name is Li Anna.
李 (Lǐ) is a very common Chinese surname. 安娜 (Ānnà) is the phonetic translation of “Anna.”
How to introduce yourself in Chinese
If you’re just starting out with Chinese, you can already practise this sentence:
你好，我叫 + [your name]
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào + [name]
Hello, my name is…
For example:
你好，我叫马克。
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào Mǎkè.
Hello, my name is Mark.
Even if you don’t speak any more Chinese yet, this is a great first step!
How to read the Chinese names of your business contacts or friends accurately
After you successfully introduce your name to your business contact, they might reply by saying their name as 张明 (Zhāng Míng), 常青 (Cháng Qīng), 石平 (Shí Píng), or 习大大 (Xí Dà Dà).
How do you pronounce names correctly with unfamiliar spellings like Zhāng, Cháng, Shí, Qīng, or Xí?
Learn Chinese with the Regina Coeli method
At Regina Coeli, you learn Chinese one-to-one with language trainers from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Your programme is tailored to your level, goals and the situations in which you want to use Mandarin.
Pronunciation is central to the training. With pinyin, you practise Chinese sounds, tones, rhythm and intonation. You also build a vocabulary that fits your daily life or work, from greetings and travel to meetings and business conversations.
Language and culture go hand in hand. You learn how to show respect, choose the right level of formality and avoid misunderstandings. This helps you communicate more naturally and build stronger personal and business relationships.
You can follow an intensive programme in Vught, take online one-to-one lessons or combine both in a hybrid course.
Chinese for better business connections
Leo van Wuijckhuijse, Asia-Pacific Export Area Manager at Royal Talens, wanted to have informal conversations with Chinese colleagues and business partners. After an intensive five-day course, he says:
“It’s unbelievable what I already know.”
Take your first step in Chinese
Would you like to learn Chinese in a way that matches your goals and schedule?
Learn more about our Chinese course
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