Chinese surname readings
How are common Chinese surnames read in Japanese?
A Chinese surname may have a Japanese kanji on-reading and a separate Katakana approximation of its Mandarin pronunciation. This chart keeps the two systems apart.
Look up a full nameHere for one surname? Go straight to the chart. There’s a separate guide linked below if your surname has two characters.
Why can Zhang be both チョウ and チャン?
The chart separates Japanese on-readings from Mandarin-based Katakana: 王 is オウ or ワン, and 陈 is チン or チェン. These columns describe different pronunciations, not alternative spellings of one sound.
Common Chinese surnames in Japanese
Mandarin Katakana is approximate. The person’s established reading takes priority.
| Chinese surname | Japanese glyph | Japanese on-reading | Mandarin Katakana |
|---|---|---|---|
| 王 | 王 | オウ | ワン |
| 李 | 李 | リ | リー |
| 张 | 張 | チョウ | チャン |
| 刘 | 劉 | リュウ | リウ |
| 陈 | 陳 | チン | チェン |
| 杨 | 楊 | ヨウ | ヤン |
| 黄 | 黄 | コウ | フアン |
| 赵 | 趙 | チョウ | チャオ |
| 吴 | 呉 | ゴ | ウー |
| 周 | 周 | シュウ | チョウ |
| 徐 | 徐 | ジョ | シュー |
| 孙 | 孫 | ソン | スン |
| 胡 | 胡 | ウ | フー |
| 朱 | 朱 | シュ | チュー |
| 高 | 高 | コウ | ガオ |
| 林 | 林 | リン | リン |
| 何 | 何 | カ | ヘ |
| 郭 | 郭 | カク | グオ |
| 罗 | 羅 | ラ | ルオ |
| 郑 | 鄭 | テイ | チェン |
| 欧阳 | 欧陽 | オウヨウ | オウヤン |
| 司马 | 司馬 | シバ | スーマ |
How to use the chart
Glyph conversion
Simplified surnames such as 张, 刘, 陈 and 杨 map to 張, 劉, 陳 and 楊 in common Japanese glyph forms.
Chinese and Japanese surnames
For the Chinese surname 林, the chart gives リン. The Japanese surname 林 is also commonly read はやし; that is a different naming context.
Continue exploring Chinese name readings
How do you read a Chinese name in Japanese?
Learn how the two reading systems work across a complete Chinese name.
How is the Chinese surname Zhang read in Japanese?
Compare Zhang in Japanese kanji, Katakana, Hiragana, Romaji and Mandarin pronunciation.
How are Chinese compound surnames read in Japanese?
Compare Japanese glyphs, on-readings and Mandarin Katakana for compound Chinese surnames.
Does the family name or given name come first?
Match family and given names with common Japanese and English field labels.
Look up the complete name
Enter a Simplified or Traditional name to review each character, alternative readings, Mandarin Katakana and Pinyin.