The format of
The Chinese will state their last name first, followed by the given name (may be one or two syllables). For example, Liu Jianguo, in Chinese would be Mr. Jianguo Liu using the Western style. Never call someone by only his or her last name.
Everybody will call him with the full name (two characters) unless there is a nickname that they like more. Surname only is rarely used, as it usually contains only one character. But if the surname does have two characters, it can be used to call some one.
Usually, only friends address one another by their given names. Nicknames are used only between very close friends or lovers. To show a high level of respect, friends might use the terms 'lao' (old) and 'xiao' (young) with or instead of titles.
It's important that you understand that the surname comes first in Chinese name order. If you meet someone called Chen Wei, then you should address him as Mr Chen and not as Mr Wei. The use of the first name in Chinese culture comes down to intimacy and familiarity.
The format of Chinese name is surname + first name, for example, 李小芳(Lǐ Xiǎo fāng). We usually address friends in Chinese by his or her first name omitting the surname. If we are close to each other, we may also call his or her childhood nickname.
Chinese names are traditionally patrilineal, whereby children are given their father's family name at birth. Women do not change their legal names at marriage. However, some may choose to place their husband's family name before their full name.
Do not touch, hug, lock arms, back slap or make any body contact. Clicking fingers or whistling is considered very rude. Never put your feet on a desk or a chair. Never gesture or pass an object with your feet.
A simple, soft handshake, a smile, and a friendly 'hi' or 'ni hao' (or 'nin hao' to greet older Chinese people) will often suffice. When addressing Chinese people, address the eldest or most senior person first. Also, address the newly-met people with their honorific title and family name.
The first part is the generation name that is shared by all members of a generation, and the last character is given to the individual person. The reason Chinese people write their surname first is to show respect to the ancestors.
One of the most common Chinese nicknames that Chinese couples use for their significant other is 亲爱的 qīn'ài de. It is used the same way as the English term “darling” or “dearest.” You can call your loved one 亲爱的 regardless of gender, and the term is used not only by dating couples but also by married couples.
Nicknames (綽號; chuòhào, or 外號, wàihào) are acquired in much the same way they are in other countries. Not everyone has one. Most that do received theirs in childhood or adolescence from family or friends. Common Chinese nicknames are those based on a person's physical attributes, speaking style, or behavior.
Many of these compound surnames derive from Zhou dynasty Chinese noble and official titles, professions, place names and other areas, to serve a purpose. Some are originally from various tribes that lived in ancient China, while others were created by joining two one-character family names.
In Chinese, we use the following question to ask someone's full name. 你叫什么名字？ (Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) What's your name? If you want to ask this question with respect or at a formal occasion, you can say “请问你叫什么名字？ (Qǐngwèn nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?)
It's a long-established tradition
Until the mid-1900s in China, a person usually had three names besides his or her surname: ming, zi and hao. Ming is the name given by parents; Zi is the name granted to a person at the beginning of adulthood – men usually at the age of 20 and women at 15.
Chinese couples tend not to show verbal affection, preferring instead to cuddle or hold hands. Reasons for this include a fear of rejection or loss of face, awkwardness and cultural traditions. Expressing love is an important gesture in any relationship.
The biggest taboo in Chinese culture would be to say any word that sounds similar to 死 (sei2) “death” or 凶 (hung1) "evil; unlucky," especially on happy occasions such as New Year, birthday, or wedding.
Guizi (鬼子; pinyin: guǐzi) is a Mandarin Chinese slang term for foreigners, and has a long history of being used as a racially deprecating insult.
Making eye contact in China is a sure-fire way to make enemies, not friends. The Chinese people view eye contact as a necessary tool, but not in the same way that other cultures do. In China, people make eye contact when they are angry. It is meant to challenge the other person and is a sign of disrespect.
Calling someone 有病 (yǒubìng), or “sick,” is one of the most common ways in Chinese colloquial language to vent anger. This is by no means vulgar, but still serves the purpose of expressing your despise and disgust.
The three most common surnames in Mainland China are Li, Wang and Zhang, which make up 7.9%, 7.4% and 7.1% respectively. Together they number close to 300 million and are easily the most common surnames in the world.
Zhāng Wěi 张伟, Wáng Wěi 王伟, and Lǐ Nà 李娜 are the three most common full names.