Job Discussion Forums

funakoshi · Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Posts: 24

hey all, little help? just filling out my chinese visa application form, and the first thing on the page is my chinese name. what the heck do i put on there. can i leave it blank? i do have my chinese name in an image file, but i dont write chinese, and dont want to incorrectly copy it!!

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

If you are not Chinese and therefore do not have a "real" Chinese name, then you leave the space blank.
For "official use" in China, your name is put in Chinese characters according to the closest sounding Chinese equivilent. This can vary depending on who tries to translate your name.

My Chinese name is Wei. You might encounter a lot of people calling me on the phone, "Wei? Wei? Wei, Wei, Wei....?"

ahopfe · Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:29 am Post subject:

I just left it blank when i got my visa - You should be fine -

But if you come to china you will be given a chinese name by your students but thats just for fun

Zhengzhou - 4 months and going Strong -

The Voice Of Reason · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 492

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Mine is Wayne. Wayne E Howe...
<ducking and running for cover>

Kurochan · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 944 Location: China

You don't have to put it on the visa application. Still, it's good to have a Chinese name that you can say and write, because at some banks and at some hospitals w/o foreigners' clinics you'll have to put a Chinese name on the paperwork. So when you get a chance, practice writing your name.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Kurochan · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 944 Location: China