Ask how a person wants to be addressed and use the name and pronunciation they provide.
At an introduction#
Introduce yourself and give the name you would like used. If a name is unfamiliar, ask for its pronunciation or written form instead of guessing which part is a surname.
As the conversation develops#
Follow the person’s preference about titles and formality. A practice sentence in a phrasebook is a language aid; it is not proof that a greeting is required in every region or relationship.
Useful words#
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 问候 | wèn hòu | to send a greeting |
| 称呼 | chēng hu | form of address; to address someone |
Editorial scope and lexical reference#
The checklist is editorial advice. The source below supports the word meanings, not a claim that these suggestions are rules followed by all Chinese people. No interview, survey or measured effectiveness is asserted.
Lexical data adapted from CC-CEDICT contributors / MDBG, 23 October 2026 release, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Dictionary release.
Neutral-tone syllables are unmarked in the pinyin display; the dictionary source uses the number 5. Pronunciation notation reference.