How do Chinese last names work?
How do Chinese last names work?
The family name (or ‘surname’) is inherited from one’s parents and shared with other members of the individual’s immediate family . It always comes before the given name and is usually a single syllable/Chinese character. The given name (or ‘personal name’) is chosen at birth as the individual’s personal identifier.
How do you give yourself a Chinese name?
If you are studying Cantonese or Mandarin and planning on creating a Chinese name, here’s a few tips.
- Be clear what you are aiming for.
- Choose your surname first.
- Keep it short.
- Ask for help.
- Don’t name yourself after a celebrity.
- Test several names.
- Share your name with your family.
- Read more stories.
Should I use my English name?
Do I need an English name? The short answer is ‘no’. The name that your parents gave you at birth is as much a part of your identity as your personality, qualifications and skills. There is nothing wrong with entering the workplace in an English-speaking country and introducing yourself with your own name.
What makes a good name in Chinese culture?
Chinese parents often give children names that express hopes about the child’s future, and in Chinese philosophy, a good name (usually based on factors such as the person’s time and place of birth, and the family name) is considered critical to a person’s success in life.
Is it possible to get a Chinese name?
If you’re only just thinking about getting a Chinese name, it’s likely you are not an expert Chinese speaker yet. Even if you are, there are so many cultural nuances involved with finding an appropriate Chinese name that you should make sure to run any possibilities by at least two native speakers.
Should English-speakers take a Chinese name when studying Chinese?
English-speakers who study French, Spanish or Russian don’t generally get a new name. But just as it’s not unusual for Chinese people to take English names when they study English, many foreigners who study Chinese or live in China adopt a Chinese name. So why is it important to get it right,…
Where can I find English names written in Chinese style?
Name Coolligraphy: English names written in a Chinese style. The China Exchange:Get you name in Chinese ChineseNames.org: “Your Name in Chinese symbols” Free Chinese Names