Chinese given-name characters
How are common Chinese given-name characters read in Japanese?
The same character can sound very different in Mandarin and Japanese. This chart compares Japanese glyphs, Japanese on-readings and Mandarin-based Katakana references.
Check a full nameFound your surname but still working on your given name? This chart takes it one character at a time.
Readings for common given-name characters
偉, the Japanese form of 伟, has the on-reading イ. Mandarin Wěi is approximated as ウェイ instead. The chart separates these readings and lists alternatives together where a character, such as 美, has more than one on-reading.
Common given-name character reading chart
The Japanese column lists useful on-reading candidates; a full name may require a different candidate.
| Chinese character | Japanese form | Japanese on-reading | Mandarin Katakana |
|---|---|---|---|
| 伟 | 偉 | イ | ウェイ |
| 明 | 明 | メイ | ミン |
| 华 | 華 | カ | フア |
| 静 | 静 | セイ | ジン |
| 洋 | 洋 | ヨウ | ヤン |
| 美 | 美 | ビ／ミ | メイ |
| 杰 | 傑 | ケツ | ジエ |
| 宇 | 宇 | ウ | ユー |
Why one character cannot settle the full name
A character can have several on-readings
美, for example, can be read ビ or ミ in different combinations.
The character form may change
Search the Japanese forms 偉, 華 and 傑 as well as the Simplified originals.
Continue exploring Chinese name readings
How do you read a Chinese name in Japanese?
Use the complete name guide to see how character readings are combined.
How does a Chinese name change in Japanese kanji?
Compare Chinese name characters with commonly used Japanese forms.
Why Japanese names cannot be read by on’yomi alone
Compare Chinese-name on-readings and learn how Katakana, Hiragana and Romaji differ.
How do you introduce your Chinese name in Japanese?
Learn to explain a Chinese name’s kanji, pronunciation, and preferred form of address in Japanese.
Check the character inside a full name
Enter a name to review character-level candidates and the complete Kana result.