Deciphering a Chinese Name
Discussion
"Mr Li" is safest.
Some Chinese cultures employ the surname as an informal address, in the same way many blokes in the UK would refer to their mates by surname (e.g. "Jones, going down to the pub later?").
Others however employ the the forenames (or is it aftnames?) as informal address, which in this case would mean his friends call him "Kin Ching", or even just "Ching" (as often the "Kin" but is used across multiple siblings in the same family as a generational indicator).
There are no rules, other than that "Mr Li" is definitely safe. In any case Chinese people are quite forgiving of Westerners messing these things up, which is understandable, so don't worry too much about it.
PS - When abroad many Chinese people swap around the order of their names to conform to Western standards, with the surname being placed last. If this person has done this, then his surname is actually "Ching", though "Li" (a common surname) is more likely. It is impossible to be sure though - if in doubt, ask.
Some Chinese cultures employ the surname as an informal address, in the same way many blokes in the UK would refer to their mates by surname (e.g. "Jones, going down to the pub later?").
Others however employ the the forenames (or is it aftnames?) as informal address, which in this case would mean his friends call him "Kin Ching", or even just "Ching" (as often the "Kin" but is used across multiple siblings in the same family as a generational indicator).
There are no rules, other than that "Mr Li" is definitely safe. In any case Chinese people are quite forgiving of Westerners messing these things up, which is understandable, so don't worry too much about it.
PS - When abroad many Chinese people swap around the order of their names to conform to Western standards, with the surname being placed last. If this person has done this, then his surname is actually "Ching", though "Li" (a common surname) is more likely. It is impossible to be sure though - if in doubt, ask.
Thanks. Im reluctant to defer to him as Mr Li in this circumstance. I wanted to be friendly and informal (and to use the correct name!).
My options are Dear Kin Ching, or Dear Li Kin Ching. I believe that the name is ordered traditionally as Ive taken it from a return address label on a Hong Kong PO label, so not written for my benefit.
My options are Dear Kin Ching, or Dear Li Kin Ching. I believe that the name is ordered traditionally as Ive taken it from a return address label on a Hong Kong PO label, so not written for my benefit.
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