China is a country of distinctive culture. Their religion, traditions and culture are so far from ours! This article will focus on Chinese names, the choice of which in the Middle Kingdom is still treated with special trepidation.
Previously, in Chinese villages, for the newborn children, the most dissonant names were chosen. And this was done for a specific purpose. Parents wanted to mislead evil spirits. They, according to legend, take the most valuable. And what can attract a child whose name is Goshen, that is, "the remains of dog food"?
Modern Chinese first and last names
In modern China, the hereditary name (surname) is written and pronounced first. Chinese surnames most often consist of one syllable - Wang, Li. Ma Less common are two syllables, such as Ouyang. An individual name has a two-fold structure, for example, Guozhi.
Chinese names and surnames, although short, are difficult to understand and pronounce for a Russian-speaking person. In addition, some of them do not sound quite decent in the understanding of people of a different nationality. By the way, in China, where such a huge number of people live, there are not so many surnames. For most of the population there are only about a hundred. Therefore, a huge number of Chinese are surnames Li, Zhang or Wang.
Xiao-min - "milk name"
According to the old tradition, in China it is customary to give a child a “milk” or home name that only family members know. Similar Chinese names are either a reflection of the child’s appearance, or parents put some special meaning or desire in him, for example, the way they want to see their offspring in the future. They chose the name Bingwen for their son, which means “a bright, cultured man, ” - everything is simple and clear. That is how parents want to raise an heir.
When a Chinese becomes an adult, they give him a middle name - min. It happened that a person himself chose it, or rather, a pseudonym - hao. When a person entered the service, he was also given a middle name - tzu. In modern China, hao and tzu are almost never used, a resident of the Middle Kingdom has only one name - min. The tradition of giving home names is still strong in China.
What is the name talking about?
Chinese names are always associated with some human qualities. Dongmei should be persistent, like a winter plum, Jia is a real beauty, Zenzen is a precious maiden, in this name deep feelings for his bearer are hidden. Ju is a chrysanthemum. Probably, openness and purity are expected from her. Dayu - black jade. By the way, many names are associated with stones, trees and flowers. The Chinese are philosophers; they see a special meaning in all things. Zhilan is a rainbow orchid, Aimin is folk love.
Chinese names are not chosen according to the sound or whim of fashion, each of them carries a certain semantic load. Therefore, in China, the choice of a name is taken very seriously, because it has a certain effect on a person. If the girl was called Ning, which means "calm", then she will most likely unwittingly try to show exactly this character trait in order to match.
Phonetically, the names have no signs of gender, but their meanings make it possible to determine who the carrier is a woman or a man. For example, what does the name Rong tell you? Who does it belong to? You are at a loss. But the Chinese would immediately say that a man is hiding under him. It cannot be otherwise, because this name means "military man."
Names filled with wisdom and beauty
We must agree that the Chinese names are beautiful. First of all, because they are individual, emotional and vibrant. Some sound like the sound of raindrops, others sparkle like morning dew in the sun. Parents lovingly named the girl the Rainbow Orchid (Zhilan), and the boy the Heroic Son (Zihao). Beautiful, sophisticated and wise.
The translation of Chinese names, of course, cannot convey all the shades and nuances that the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom hear in them. It is very surprising to us that each of them can be translated into any other language! But only in Chinese, where phonetics, tonality and rhythm harmoniously combine, in the name only what is laid down in it will sound.
• Au - love.
• Venkian - purified.
• Jaohui personifies clear wisdom.
• Gee - the standard of spiritual purity.
• Jiao - elegance.
• Kingzhao - understanding.
Fashion trends in the world of Chinese names
Above were examples of female names. Male Chinese names are usually associated with concepts such as courage, strength, strength, kindness, wisdom. They carry in themselves all the qualities that a real man should possess. Weisheng - born great, Bojing - delighted with victory. These names are not only a set of sounds, they have a whole eastern philosophy.
Exclusivity did not save the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom, they did not escape the fashion for borrowed names. But even in this, the Chinese remained faithful to their traditions. They “famously” brought “import” names to the tone of their own. Elinna - Elena, Li Tsunsy - Jones. There are even names of Christian origin. For example, Yao Su My means Joseph in translation, and Ko Li Tzu Sy is the name George.
In China, there is a tradition of giving posthumous names. They summarize the life lived, reflect all the acts committed by man in this world.
