Introducing a Chinese name in Japanese
How do you introduce your Chinese name in Japanese?
You do not need to replace a Chinese name with a Japanese name. Keep the original characters, then explain the pronunciation and what you would like people to call you.
Check my name firstA useful structure: name, spelling, pronunciation, preferred address
For example: “はじめまして、張偉と申します。漢字は『張偉』と書きます。中国語では『チャン・ウェイ』と発音します。チャンと呼んでください。よろしくお願いします。”
You can instead give the Japanese on-reading: “日本語の音読みでは『ちょう い』です。” The goal is not to turn the name into a different Japanese name, but to make its spelling and your preferred pronunciation clear.
Ready-to-use Japanese phrases for your name
| Purpose | Japanese phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Basic introduction | はじめまして、張偉と申します。 | A polite first introduction |
| Show the kanji | 名前は「張偉」と書きます。 | Explain how the name is written |
| Give the Japanese reading | 日本語では「ちょう い」と読みます。 | Use the Japanese on-reading |
| Give the Mandarin sound | 中国語では「チャン・ウェイ」と発音します。 | Preserve the Mandarin pronunciation |
| State what to call you | チャンと呼んでください。 | Give a convenient preferred form of address |
Choose the right amount of detail
Casual conversation
Your name and preferred form of address are often enough.
School or class
Add the kanji and reading to make attendance and name recall easier.
Business settings
“と申します” is polite; keep the same romaji spelling across cards and email signatures.
Online meetings
Put kanji and romaji in the display name, then say the pronunciation aloud.
Prepare the introduction with NameFerry
Generate the name formats
Compare Japanese kanji, on-reading, Mandarin-based katakana, and pinyin.
Choose the pronunciation you use
Select either the Japanese on-reading or a Mandarin-based reading instead of mixing them.
Insert it into a short phrase
Say the name first, then add only the spelling, reading, and preferred address that the situation needs.
The person’s preference comes first
A person may explain the same name differently in different settings, but should make the pronunciation they actually use clear. Automatic conversion only provides candidates.
Prepare more ways to express a Chinese name in Japanese
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Read the complete guide first, then choose the reading that fits your introduction.
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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.
Generate your name reading, then build the introduction
Compare the Japanese on-reading and Mandarin pronunciation, and choose the form you truly want others to use.