Question

Asked by Nick from united kingdom | Jun. 03, 2015 04:24

About:Chinese Names

I have a client who's written name (as I've received it) is "Ying Ming Lai"

on the basis that communication is currently over email, how would i address this person? ideally in a less formal manner, for example "Hi *Firstname*..

Reply

Answers (3)

Answered by Ivan | Jun. 03, 2015 21:54

1 0 Reply

Nick, Ying should be the last name and Ming Lai should be the first name. So you can say address "Hi, Ming Lai".

1 0 Reply

Answered by Nick | Jun. 04, 2015 02:15

0 0 Reply

Thanks Ivan, great help!

0 0 Reply

Answered by Stanley | Jun. 17, 2015 07:57

0 0 Reply

Sorry, "Lai" is the last name, 賴 in Chinese. Unlike English, there are typically limited number of given names and virtually unlimited last names, Chinese last names are limited with virtually unlimited given names. In your case, "Ying Ming" is the given name. To avoid confusion, Chinese people usually put a "-" between the two characters of the given name. In this case, it would be "Ying-Ming". I usually advise my friends to not use the "-", i.e., "Yingming", to avoid any confusion.

I suggest that you address him/her as "Mr./Ms. Lai", "Hi Yingming", or "Hi YM". The last one are the initials of his/her given name.

0 0 Reply

See more answers...

Related Questions: