Guides
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How Do Chinese Names Work?
Family name first, a one- or two-character given name, and characters chosen for meaning and sound: the structure of a Chinese name, explained.
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How to Choose a Chinese Name
A practical method for choosing a Chinese name that sounds natural, fits you and works where you will use it, plus the mistakes to avoid.
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Chinese Name Order: Which Is the Last Name?
Why Chinese family names come first, how to tell which part is the surname, how Chinese people write their names in English and how to address them.
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How to Say "My Name Is" in Chinese (and Ask a Name)
Say "my name is" in Chinese with 我叫 (wǒ jiào), ask "what is your name?" politely, and introduce yourself with your English or Chinese name, with audio.
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How to Pronounce Chinese Names: A Pinyin Guide
How to pronounce Chinese names from pinyin: the letters that trip English speakers up (x, q, zh, c, z), the four tones and surnames like Zhao and Xu, with audio.
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Funny Chinese Names: Homophone Puns and Names to Avoid
Why some Chinese names sound funny: famous homophone joke names like 范统 and 杜子腾, the surnames that make puns easy, and how to check a name before you use it.