Culture Build Up: Name & Surname
Learn Mandarin With Me! (Music Version) -- Extra Study Materials
Culture Build Up!
Regarding Chinese Names!
People might be curious why some Chinese has got a 2-words name while the typical ones are 3-words.
It doesn’t really make a difference.
For example, EXO-M member 鹿晗 [lu-han], he has got a 2-words (rather characters) name while another member 黄子韬 [huang-zi-tao] has the typical 3-characters name.
It’s actually just the parents, or the one who name them.
Sometimes, having a more unique Last Name (Surname), 姓名 [xing-ming], it might just sound better with a 2-characters name.
Another example would be a former member of Super Junior, 韩庚 [han-geng].
Some Typical surnames would be:
王[wang]
李 [li]
陈 [chen]
张 [zhang]
黄 [huang]
吴 [wu]
*Take a look at 黄 [huang] and 吴 [wu]
黄子韬 of EXO-M, Tao, has a 3-characters name because his surname is 1 of the most typical surnames out there.
吴凡 of EXO-M, Kris, has a 2-characters name despite the typical surnames is an evidence to show that, despite the typical surname it can still be a 2-characters name.
**All these goes back to the person who names them.
Regarding Chinese Names!
*Typical Questions you might have*
So Where do Chinese get our Surnames from?
- The Father.
*The child usually follows the surname of the Father.
Are there meanings to the name?
- Usually Yes.
*Chinese parents would usually crack their brains to think of nice-sounding and meaningful names for their child.
-Rarely No.
*Unless, there are too many children or the parents are illiterate then their children's name would not be meaningful.
Any difference between a Male and a Female's name?
- Of course!
*For Male, Parents would want their boys to have a more MANLY name.
*For Female, Parents would want their girls to have a more 'delicate', 'gentle' type of names.
What does the meanings usually (typically) means?
Usually Chinese parents would want these characteristics to be part of their child(ren):
-Health (Both, Usually Male as it doesn't sound 'girlish')
*健 [jian]
*康 [kang]
-Good Looks (Male)
*俊 [jun]
-Prosperity (Both)
*發 [fa]
*财 [cai]
-Knowledge (both)
*文 [wen]
*学 [xue]
*才 [cai]
-Greatness/ Nobleness (Male)
*伟 [wei]
*宏 [hong]
-Gracefulness (Female)
雅 [ya]
秀 [xiu]
- Beauty (Female)
丽 [li]
美 [mei]
Re-published: 29.01.2013, 7:45pm
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