Do foreigners have Chinese names?

English-speakers who study French, Spanish or Russian don’t generally get a new name. But just as it’s not unusual for Chinese people to take English names when they study English, many foreigners who study Chinese or live in China adopt a Chinese name.

How do you give a foreigner a Chinese name?

Laowai is the Pinyin pronunciation/transliteration of 老外 (pinyin: lǎowài, lit. “old foreign”), an informal term or slang for “foreigner” and/or non-Chinese national, usually neutral but possibly impolite or loose in some circumstances.

Can I pick my own Chinese name?

Choosing a common Chinese last name will ensure your Chinese name is readily identifiable as a personal name, as Chinese names are structured with the last name first. For example, if your last name is Johnson, the very common surname 张 (Zhāng) might suit you. Similarly, 孙 (Sūn) could also reflect the “son” in Johnson.

How do you know what your Chinese name is?

How to Find Your Chinese Name

1. Use a Chinese name tool.
2. Ask a friend or Chinese tutor to name you.
3. Rename yourself.
4. Say 很高兴认识您 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín) — Nice to meet you.
5. Use 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ)
6. Say your last name before your first name.
7. Ask 您贵姓 (nín guì xìng) when asking someone their name.

What is it like to be an expat living in China?

Five years of living in China was an incredible experience, but it definitely wasn’t easy. Being an expat has its ups and downs, but there are plenty of ways to overcome the typical challenges of living and working in China. My friend Josh from Far West China has been living in Xinjiang, China with his family since 2006!

Do expats in China need to file taxes?

Many expats I’ve met in China – particularly teachers – don’t give taxes much thought and many think they don’t need to file taxes while they’re living abroad. They’re wrong.

Is it safe to live in China as a foreigner?

Yes, many expats, especially women, find living in China is much safer than in cities like London or New York. Street harassment and catcalling is virtually unheard of for foreigners, and streets tend to be well lit at night.

Is it bad to live in China as a jaded expat?

Beware the worst. The ‘Jaded Expat’ thinks that they can’t be racist because they live in China, but they’re the first to comment bitterly on the less-than-savory aspects of life in the country. It’s a mystery how they made it to China in the first place, and it’s even more of a mystery why they’ve stayed so long.