Chinese character names in Japanese
How are Chinese novel character names read in Japanese?
For a character in a Chinese novel, comic or drama, compare the Japanese kanji form, Japanese on-reading and Mandarin-based Katakana side by side.
Check a character nameThree useful parts of a Japanese name entry
First map Simplified characters to forms commonly used in Japan, such as 张 to 張, 宁 to 寧, 云 to 雲 and 刘 to 劉. Then check both a Japanese kanji reading and a Katakana approximation of the original Mandarin sound.
Japanese translations often retain the Chinese characters and add a reading. An on-reading helps Japanese reading, while Mandarin-based Katakana helps approximate how the character is called in Chinese.
Chinese character name examples in Japanese
The first four are sample character names; the final three are familiar names from classical Chinese novels.
| Chinese name | Japanese kanji | On-reading | Hiragana | Romaji | Mandarin Katakana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 张伟 | 張偉 | チョウ イ | ちょう い | Chō I | チャン・ウェイ |
| 林雪 | 林雪 | リン セツ | りん せつ | Rin Setsu | リン・シュエ |
| 王宁 | 王寧 | オウ ネイ | おう ねい | Ō Nei | ワン・ニン |
| 欧阳云 | 欧陽雲 | オウヨウ ウン | おうよう うん | Ōyō Un | オウヤン・ユン |
| 诸葛亮 | 諸葛亮 | ショカツ リョウ | しょかつ りょう | Shokatsu Ryō | チューゲ・リアン |
| 孙悟空 | 孫悟空 | ソン ゴクウ | そん ごくう | Son Gokū | スン・ウーコン |
| 林黛玉 | 林黛玉 | リン タイギョク | りん たいぎょく | Rin Taigyoku | リン・ダイユー |
What to check when looking up a fictional character
Start with the original characters
Names that sound alike can use different characters and therefore have different Japanese readings.
The Japanese glyph may differ
张, 刘, 宁 and 云 are commonly displayed as 張, 劉, 寧 and 雲 in Japanese text.
Show both reading systems when useful
諸葛亮 can appear as the on-reading ショカツ リョウ or the Mandarin-based チューゲ・リアン.
Keep compound surnames together
欧阳 and 诸葛 are two-character family names and should not be split in the middle.
Look up a complete character name
Copy the full Chinese name
Use the original characters from the work rather than Pinyin alone.
Review the Japanese form and reading
Compare Katakana, Hiragana and Romaji after checking the glyph conversion.
Choose a useful annotation
Use an on-reading for Japanese reading or Mandarin Katakana when introducing the original sound.
A published translation may choose its own reading
A novel edition, manga adaptation, subtitle track or dub may annotate the same character differently. When an official Japanese edition exists, compare its notation with the reading reference here.
Contact NameFerry if there is another character name or reading you would like added.
Continue exploring Chinese names in Japanese
How do you read a Chinese name in Japanese?
Read the complete guide to the main ways a Chinese name can be represented in Japanese.
How to write a Chinese name in Japanese Katakana
Compare Japanese readings, Mandarin pronunciation and the available Kana formats.
How are common Chinese surnames read in Japanese?
Look up common Chinese surnames in Japanese glyphs, on-readings and Mandarin Katakana.
How to fill in Furigana with a Chinese name
Distinguish name, Furigana, Hiragana and passport Roman-letter fields.
How does a Chinese name change in Japanese kanji?
Compare Chinese name characters with commonly used Japanese forms.
What is the difference between Japanese romaji and Pinyin for a Chinese name?
See how a Japanese on-reading becomes romaji and how it differs from Hanyu Pinyin.
How do you write a Chinese name in Japanese hiragana?
Compare the hiragana and katakana forms of a Chinese name’s Japanese on-reading.
How do you introduce your Chinese name in Japanese?
Learn to explain a Chinese name’s kanji, pronunciation, and preferred form of address in Japanese.
Why Japanese names cannot be read by on’yomi alone
Compare Chinese-name on-readings and learn how Katakana, Hiragana and Romaji differ.
How can you hear a Chinese name pronounced in Japanese?
Hear Japanese on-readings and Mandarin-based Katakana references for Chinese names.
Does the family name or given name come first?
Match family and given names with common Japanese and English field labels.
How are common Chinese given-name characters read in Japanese?
Compare Japanese glyphs, on-readings and Mandarin Katakana for common given-name characters.
How are Chinese compound surnames read in Japanese?
Compare Japanese glyphs, on-readings and Mandarin Katakana for compound Chinese surnames.
Try a Chinese character name
NameFerry shows Japanese kanji, on-readings, Kana, Romaji and a Mandarin pronunciation reference.