chinese self introduction essay

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How to Introduce Yourself in Chinese: A Complete Guide

The first step in combining Chinese language and culture involves being prepared to introduce yourself in Chinese at any moment. In a culture based on 关系 ( guānxi – relationships), it’s crucial to be able to describe yourself accurately.

The simplest way to introduce yourself in Chinese is to say 你好 ( nǐ hǎo ) meaning “hello” and  我叫 ( wǒ jiào ) meaning “my name is.”

But, if you want to know even more about the different ways you can introduce yourself and information about you in Chinese, we’re here to help.

Simple Chinese Greetings to Introduce Yourself

Introducing your name in chinese, asking about the other person, reacting to a compliment, share your background to introduce yourself in chinese, talking about: where you’re from, talking about: family, talking about: your education and employment situation, talking about: your income and your children’s grades (yeah, this happens), talking about: hospitality, talking about: what you do for fun, concluding your self-introduction, 12 etiquette tips for chinese conversation, and one more thing....

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The basic Chinese greeting is a well-wish, using the word  好 ( hǎo ) — good. Before saying hǎo , you can insert a time of day or a fitting pronoun. The standard greeting is  你好 ( nǐ hǎo ) — hello, nǐ meaning “you.”

[Personal pronoun] hǎo :

您  ( nín ) — The respectful form of the pronoun “you,” used for addressing elderly people or people with higher social or business status

叔叔  ( shū shu ) — Uncle, used for a man who’s old enough to be your father

阿姨 ( ā yí ) — Aunty, used for a woman could be your mom

爷爷  ( yè ye ) — Literally “father’s father,” used for a man who could be your grandfather

奶奶  ( nǎi nai ) — Literally “father’s mother,” used for a woman who could be your grandmother

[Time of day] hǎo:

早上  ( zǎo shàng ) — Morning (before 8:00 a.m.)

上午  ( shàng wǔ ) — Morning (after 8:00 a.m.)

下午  ( xià wǔ ) — Afternoon

晚上  ( wǎn shàng ) — Evening

In conversation, you’ll likely hear one of two questions asking for your name:

怎么称呼您? ( zěnme chénghū nín? ) — How should I address you?

你叫什么名字? ( nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? ) — What’s your name?

The first question includes the respectful nǐn , meaning it should be used to address older people or people with higher social or business status. In less formal relationships, either question can be used. In both cases, you can respond:

我叫 (wǒ jiào) – My name is, and then say your name

You should use questions and phrases that show you’re taking an interest in the person you’re conversing with, thus… building guānxi . For example ,  吃饭了吗? ( chī fàn le ma? ) meaning “have you eaten yet?” is a commonly used phrase that can be used after a typical meal time.

If you already know something about their job or family, do   build that relationship by using 怎么样 ( zěnme yàng ) questions:

[Topic of interest] zěnme yàng ? – How’s [topic of interest]?

Topics of interest may include:

生意  ( shēngyì ) — Business, implying the person runs their own business

工作  ( gōngzuò ) — Work as an employee

家人  ( jiārén ) — Family members

父母  ( fùmǔ ) — Parents

孩子  ( háizi ) — Child or children

If you don’t know anything about them and it’s not around a meal time, just jump into the conversation !

At any point after you say your name, your Chinese will likely be complimented. To be polite, they’ll compliment your Chinese regardless of how good it is.

They recognize the challenge of learning a language since most have at least studied English in school, so saying your Chinese is good is a way to elevate you. It’s now your mission to humbly reject such a lofty compliment.

You’ll hear:

你的中文很好! ( nǐ de zhōngwén hěn hǎo! ) — Your Chinese is very good!

You should say:

哪里哪里 ( nǎlǐ nǎlǐ ) — Literally “Where? Where?” implying “I don’t see anyone around here who deserves such a compliment!”

没有  ( méi yǒu ) — Literally “don’t have,” implying you aren’t qualified for such a compliment

Don’t be afraid to admit:

我还在学习中文  ( wǒ hái zài xuéxí zhōngwén ) — I’m still learning Chinese.

我的中文不太好  ( wǒ de zhōngwén bú tài hǎo ) — My Chinese isn’t that great.

If you include a statement about your low Chinese level, it shouldn’t be the focal point of the sentence. For example, instead of “My Chinese isn’t that great,” you could say “Even though my Chinese isn’t that great, I’m happy to tell you a little bit about myself.”

If you can, deflect the compliment to someone else who really deserves it. This shows you know where the credit really goes. For example, after the other person compliments your Chinese, you could say:

让我的老师很高兴  ( ràng wǒ de lǎoshī hěn gāoxìng ) — That would make my teacher very happy.

A good self-introduction in Chinese needs to describe your essence. That all starts with your background: where you’re from, your family, your education, your work situation and even your income. All of this forms a large part of who you are, so this information is important to share with Chinese people.

Because conversations—especially the first one—are all about building  guānxi , the heart of the conversation starts immediately after exchanging names.

If someone asks:

你是哪里的? ( nǐ shì nǎlǐ de ?) — Where are you from?

你是哪个国家的? ( nǐ shì nǎge guójiā de? ) — What country are you from?

You can answer:

我是 ___ 的  ( wǒ shì ___  de ) — I’m from ___

我来自 ___ ( wǒ láizì ___) — I’m from ___

If you’re from the local area, you can say:

我是本地的 ( wǒ shì běndì de ) — I’m a local, literally “I’m from this place.”

If you ask them where they’re from (or vice versa) and the answer is a little ambiguous (most Chinese will just say “China”), you can say:

___ 哪里? (___ nǎli ?) — Where in ___?

The purpose of the “where you’re from” questions is really to understand what kind of environment you’re from, so you can use these kinds of words to help them paint a picture of you:

农村  ( nóngcūn ) — Rural area, literally “village”

小城  ( xiǎochéng ) — Small town

城市  ( chéngshì ) — Big city

If you want to explain how an environment may have influenced you even though you aren’t directly from there, you can add the word  附近 ( fùjìn ) — “nearby” after the description of where you’re from (e.g., chéngshì fùjìn – near a big city).

Family is so important in Chinese culture that the language has a specific word for almost every family relationship .

For example, in English we would say “cousin,” but in Chinese it’s “your mom’s older sister’s daughter,” which is completely different from”your mom’s younger sister’s daughter.” Understanding your family relationships will help a Chinese person learn about your values and traits.

Someone may ask you how your parents are doing:

你的父母怎么样? ( nǐ de fùmǔ zěnme yàng? ) — How are your parents?

To say your parents are doing well, you can say:

我的___还好 — ( wǒ de ___  hái hǎo ) — My ___ is/are doing well.

爸爸 ( bàba ) — Dad

妈妈  ( māma ) — Mom

You may also be asked if you have any brothers and sisters:

你有几个兄弟姐妹? ( nǐ yǒu jǐ ge xiōngdì jiěmèi? ) — How many siblings do you have?

To say how many brothers and sisters you have, you can say:

我有 how many 个 relationship . ( wǒ yǒu  how many  ge relationship) — I have [however many] of [a certain type of relationship.]

哥哥  ( gēge ) — Older brother

弟弟  ( dìdi ) — Younger brother

姐姐 ( jièjie ) — Older sister

妹妹  ( mèimei ) — Younger sister

You will likely be asked if you’re married:

你结婚了吗? ( nǐ jiéhūn le ma? ) — Are you married?

If you’re married, you can say  结婚了 ( jiéhūn le ) — I’m married.

If you’re dating, you can use the sibling sentence structure, minus the “how many” part:

男朋友  ( nán péngyou ) — Boyfriend

女朋友  ( nǚ péngyou ) — Girlfriend

You can use the sibling sentence structure for how many children you have also (if you’re married, you will be asked if you have children):

孩子  ( háizi ) — Child/children

儿子  ( érzi ) — Son

女儿  ( nǚér ) — Daughter

A person’s education and job situation reflect their current social status.

You might be asked:

你做什么工作? ( nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò? ) — What do you do for work?

是你的专业吗? ( shì nǐ de zhuānyè ma? ) — Is that your profession?

Note :  zhuānyè  literally means “profession,” but the concept generally implies that it was your major in college, as well.

You could reply:

我是 ___ ( wǒ shì ___) — I’m a ___

我做 ___ ( wǒ zuò ___) — I ___

我上(了)大学 ( wǒ shàng (le) dàxué ) — I attend(ed) a university.

自学的  ( zìxué de ) — I am self-taught.

Similar to your education and job situation, your income and your children’s grades tell about your present situation in caring for yourself and your family, as well as what kind of future you might have. If the conversation gets this far, you will be asked about it.

___ 怎么样? (___ zěnme yàng ?) — How’s ___?

___ 可以吗? (___ kěyǐ ma ?) — Is ___ good enough?

成绩 ( chéngjì ) — Grades

工资  ( gōngzī ) — Income

还可以 ( hái kěyǐ ) — “Not bad.” Like in English, the tone of your voice shows how “not bad” it is.

不错 ( bú cuò ) — Pretty good/hard to complain.

很好 ( hěn hǎo ) — Very good/satisfying.

These conversations typically happen over tea or food. Hospitality is a big part of Chinese culture, so even if it’s their first time meeting you, they’ll probably still invite you to tea or a meal . This shows their willingness to spend time with you and build  guānxi .

If you have the time, do accept their offer to have tea or food. This shows your willingness to spend time with them and build  guānxi .

They might say something like:  我们喝茶吧 ( wǒmen hē chá ba ) — Let’s have some tea

You should say:  好的 ( hǎo de ) or  可以 ( kěyǐ ) with a smile. Both phrases carry the “that sounds good” meaning, but without the smile, your willingness could be misunderstood as “I guess I have to.”

You should also ask for their phone number or WeChat information . If you have time for tea, ask for this contact info before you leave. If you don’t have time for tea, ask for it so you can make plans to meet again. This shows you view the relationship as worth continuing.

可以给你我的电话号码吗? ( kěyǐ gěi nǐ wǒ de diàn huà hào mǎ ma? ) — Could I give you my phone number?

我们加微信吧  ( wǒmen jiā wēixìn ba ) — Let’s add each other’s WeChat

Grammar note : Saying 吧 ( ba ) is very important. It means you’re suggesting something. If you don’t say “ba,” you’re telling them what to do.

For more formal relationships:  可以加您的微信吗? ( kěyǐ jiā nín de wēixìn ma ?) — Can I add your WeChat?

Grammar note : 吗 ( ma ) is a word that basically adds a question mark to a sentence. For formal relationships, you want to ask permission, not make a suggestion.

Most conversations between Chinese people don’t require the “Where are you from?” part because they take for granted that they’re from China. In those cases, they’ll skip straight from “What’s your name?” to “ What do you like to do? “

你喜欢做什么? ( nǐ xǐhuān zuò shénme? ) — What do you like to do?

我喜欢 ___ ( wǒ xǐhuān ___) — I like to ___

You may be asked how long you’ve had that hobby:

你什么时候开始___? ( nǐ shénme shíhou kāishǐ ___?) — When did you start doing ___?

You could respond:

我 ___ 岁开始  ( wǒ ___ suì kāishǐ ) — I started when I was ___

我从小喜欢  ( wǒ cóng xiǎo xǐhuān ) — I’ve liked it since I was little

我 when 有兴趣了 ( wǒ when  yǒuxìngqù le ) — I got interested at a certain time

At this point, it would be natural for you to volunteer why you like doing what you do:

我觉得好玩  ( wǒ juéde hǎo wán ) — I think it’s fun, a phrase you can use to express simple enjoyment

让我 ___ ( ràng wǒ ___) — It makes me feel a certain way, a phrase that expresses contentment

轻松  ( qīngsōng ) — Relaxed

高兴  ( gāoxìng ) – Happy

期待  ( qīdài ) — Also meaning “happy,” but from doing something exciting

给我 ___ ( gěi wǒ ___) — It gives me a certain feeling, a phrase to explain deeper reasons.

安全感  ( ānquángǎn ) — A sense of security

满足感  ( mǎnzúgǎn ) — A sense of satisfaction

成就感 ( chéngjiùgǎn ) — A sense of accomplishment

一点幸福感  ( yīdiǎn xìngfúgǎn ) — A small sense of happiness

Note : xìngfú is viewed as an ultimate goal in life, so if you reach xìngfú through your hobbies, they’ll probably think of you as a very shallow person, or they’ll conclude you have no idea what you’re talking about

At the beginning of the conversation, all you knew was the person’s name. You didn’t know anything else about them. Now, after this conversation, you know something about the person, and they know something about you. This is the time to say things such as:

很高兴认识你  ( hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ ) — It was nice to become acquainted with you, literally “I’m happy to have become acquainted with you.”

In a more formal, less developed relationship, you could say:

谢谢您的时间 ( xièxie nín de shíjiān ) — Thank you for your time. This is especially respectful if the meet-and-greet was short, implying they didn’t have a lot of time to give you to begin with.

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In Chinese culture, there are certain things you should pay attention to in order to ensure that you are being respectful, such as particular aspects of your body language. Here are 12 tips to take note of:

1. The older a person is, the more respect they receive in Chinese culture. Calling someone who could be your grandma “grandma” is very well received, while calling her “aunty” may be viewed as insulting because her life experience wouldn’t be properly recognized.

2. Do shake hands when introducing yourself in business-relationship settings. This shows respect for the status of the other person.

3. However, do not shake hands when meeting a potential new friend at a coffee shop. You might feel it shows respect for the other person, but to them it doesn’t show respect for the equal-ness of the relationship. (Of course, the trump card for all of this handshake business is: do shake hands with anyone that wants a handshake, regardless of the situation.)

4. The goal of rejecting compliments is to take the focus off of you and your abilities. The other person will likely emphasize the compliment again. No matter how many times you hear it, reject it.

5. If you’re single, ask and talk about what you like to do with someone who’s the same gender as you, unless you’re looking to start a romantic relationship with the other person.

6. If you’re married, ask and talk about what you like to do with someone who’s the same gender as you, unless your significant other is there with you. A married person of the opposite sex having this conversation might be misunderstood as wanting an external relationship.

7. Don’t make constant eye contact in the conversation. This can be read as defiance, arrogance or even disrespect.

8. Do make casual eye contact in the conversation. This implies you’re both paying attention and thinking about what they’re saying.

9. Don’t talk about religion , politics , sexuality or any other topic with polarized opinions. Your goal is to find a common ground to build your  guānxi on, not to find reasons for conflict. Also, do not talk about death .

10. Don’t verbally take the initiative to break the relationship out of  nǐn.   Leave that for the other person. Ultimately, they know more about the culture than you do.

11. If you’re meeting someone over food or drinks, do fight for the bill when it comes time to pay. This is important because it shows you aren’t just taking advantage of their generosity. However, do let them pay the bill. This is a way to “give face” or 给面子 (gěi miàn zi ).

12. Do not  ask how they are by saying 你好吗 ? ( nǐ hǎo ma ?), which is the literal translation of “How are you?” The English “How are you?” doesn’t translate well , and the “How are you?”—”Good, and you?”—”Good” exchange doesn’t happen in Chinese.

If you just act with self-awareness and cultural respect, Chinese people will be very impressed.

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How to Introduce Yourself in Chinese: All You Need to Know

Learning how to introduce yourself in Chinese is definitely the very first skill that you’ll need in order to make a great first impression to win over new Chinese friends .

Sure, if you’ve ever done a Chinese language course, you’ve probably spent a considerable amount of time learning how to introduce yourself in Chinese. But if you were to meet a Chinese for the first time at this very moment, would you be prepared to speak about yourself in a natural, convincing way? Probably not.

Let’s face it. You have to deal with awkwardness, nervousness, and shyness. Not to mention that the pressure feels much higher when you’re supposed to introduce yourself in a foreign language like Chinese. But fear not! This article will help you get off to a good start with your new Chinese friends, associates, and acquaintances by hitting all the introduction marks and coming up with neat sentences for your very first Chinese self-introduction.

Table of Contents

How to introduce yourself in chinese – an overview.

In Chinese, a self-introduction is called 自我介绍 (zìwǒ jièshào) . In theory, introducing yourself in Chinese should be quite simple as it’s not too different from how you would introduce yourself in any other language: you start with hello, say your name, and then tell people a little bit about yourself.

In practice, however, there are certain cultural differences and unique concepts you need to be aware of when introducing yourself in Chinese. Since you only get one shot at making a first impression, it’s important to learn how to do it right.

We’ll start by teaching you the three-piece basic Chinese self-introduction, then cultural subtleties, and finally a ton of extra introductory phrases you can use to talk about yourself when you first meet a Chinese speaker, whether the encounter is social, educational, or strictly business. These simple but powerful phrases will boost your Chinese-speaking skills and give you confidence in your early Chinese conversations. 

So, read on to learn all the essential steps to a perfect Chinese self-introduction.  

Basic Self-introduction  in Chinese

Chinese introductions are pretty straightforward on a basic level, so keep it simple: smile, extend a hand, and respond appropriately to the person you’re meeting or the one you’re being introduced to.

Here’s the 3-step Chinese introduction method that will get you through most situations. You can learn it right away.

1. Start with a Greeting – “Hello” in Chinese

First thing first: greetings. They are how almost any conversation in Chinese will start.

This is true – whether you’re meeting a Chinese person for the first or the hundredth time – you’ll want to use an appropriate greeting to start off the conversation on the right foot!

你好 (Nǐ hǎo)

A basic, middle-of-the-road greeting in Chinese is  你好 (Nǐ hǎo) . 你 (nǐ) means “you”, and 好 (hǎo) means “good”, so this expression literally translates to “you good”. Both of the syllables in this word should be pronounced using the third tones, with the first one slightly faster than the latter. You can use this well-wish at any time of the day, and it’s almost as universal as the English “hi” or “hello.”

If you don’t know how to read Pinyin (the standard Romanization of Chinese) yet, You can read our guide here to learn the basics of Pinyin .

您好 (Nín  hǎo )

A more formal version of “hello” in Chinese is 您好 (Nín hǎo) . When respect is called for, replace the 你 (nǐ) – “you” in 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) with its honorific form 您 (nín) to help you sound humble and polite. (This polite form is particularly common in Beijing)

Now, before discussing other essential phrases, it’ll be helpful to know the basic rule of thumb when to use 您 (nín) over 你 (nǐ) in Chinese .

• When talking to  family, friends, or colleagues , you’re expected to use the informal 你 (nǐ). And in casual social situations, it’s perfectly acceptable to use 你 (nǐ) right away to address people near your age – even if they are strangers .
• When you’re introducing yourself to someone who’s older or has higher social status than you (e.g. teacher, manager, officer), use the honorific form of “you” instead and say 您 (nín). You also need to use the formal form of address with people you’re in a professional relationship with , such as your business partners, clients, or customers.
• When you’re in doubt, start with the honorific form – 您 (nín) and don’t take the initiative to break the relationship out of 您 (nín). You can switch to 你 (nǐ) when the other person tells you to address him/her otherwise.

And don’t worry, Chinese people are aware that the cultural nuance could be quite tricky for foreigners, so they always accept the use of 你 (nǐ) with no grudges!

大家好 (Dà jiā hǎo )

Both 你 (nǐ) and 您 (nín) are singular only – they can’t be used to address more than one person.

If you’re greeting a group of people – it doesn’t matter what your relationship is – say 大家好 (Dàjiā hǎo) . This is a polite Chinese equivalent of “hello everyone” (literally, “everyone good”).

Time word + 好 ( hǎo )

You could also choose your greeting according to the time . Though less common, it’s totally fine to replace the fitting pronouns with a time word depending on the time of the day before the word 好 (hǎo).

For instance, you may say 早上好 (Zǎoshang hǎo )  – “morning good” for the morning, 下午好 (Xiàwǔ hǎo )  – “afternoon good” for the afternoon and 晚上好 (Wǎnshang hǎo )  – “evening good” for the evening. You could also say 晚安 ( Wǎn’ān )  – “evening peace”, but that’s generally used to say goodbye when it’s late at night or when you’re heading to bed.

Lastly, if you’re talking to someone on the phone, answer or greet them with 喂 (Wèi) – “hello”. In other contexts, however, 喂 (Wèi) is a pretty rude way of getting people’s attention.

To learn about all the ways you can greet people in Chinese, check out our guide to  Saying “Hello” in Chinese: 21 Chinese Greetings to Sound like a Native Speaker .

2. Introduce Your Name – “My name is …” in Chinese

While you might not want to further your conversations with street vendors or restaurant waiters, meeting a local in a cafe or a fellow guest in your hotel is a great place to make a Chinese friend.

“What’s your name?”  is the first question you can expect to hear when meeting someone for the first time. There are several ways to ask it in Chinese.

The most common question you’ll get is 你叫什么？ (Nǐ jiào shénme) . This translates to “You are called what?” and is considered rather informal.

A slightly more formal version of this question is 你叫什么名字？( Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi )  – “You are called what name?”. Alternatively, they’ll ask  你的名字叫什么？(Nǐ de míngzi jiào shénme)  – “Your name is called what?”.

If you hear any of these questions, it means the person wants to know your name – 名字 (míngzi), although you can’t really be sure if the person wants to know your full name or just your first name.

我叫… (Wǒ jiào …)

The typical way to answer “What’s your name” in Chinese is to begin your sentence with 我叫… (Wǒ jiào …)  – “I am called…” and then say your name.  It’s fine to answer with either your full name or your first name.

In return, it’s always polite to ask for the other person’s name. You could repeat the question or simply ask 你呢？(nǐ ne)  – “and you?” for informal situations or 您呢？(nín ne)  – “and you?” for formal situations after you’ve introduced your name. This is a quick way to return the question that you’ve just been asked. (Read more about “ bounce-back questions ”)

我的名字叫… (Wǒ de míngzi jiào …)

Once you’re feeling confident, you may expand the sentence a bit. To do so, simply replace the 我 (wǒ) – “I” in 我叫… (Wǒ jiào …) with the phrase 我的名字 (wǒ de míngzi)  – “my name”. This adds a formal element to your name introduction.

And again, you have the option to include your full name or just your first name in the answer, depending on the formality of the meeting.

我是… (Wǒ shì …)

You could also say  我是   (Wǒ shì)  and then state your name in response to “What’s your name?” in Chinese. 是 (shì) is the verb “to be”, so it’s like saying “I am…” in English. Although this method may be a slightly less common way of introducing yourself in Chinese, it’s still perfectly acceptable and is easier to learn.

我的名字是… (Wǒ de míngzi shì …)

The last method may be the most straightforward way of introducing your name for those who speak English as a first language: You can say 我的名字是… (Wǒ de míngzi shì …)  followed by your name. This is the exact equivalent to the English “My name is…”.

When answering “What’s your name?” or when you’re the one initiating the conversation, you can introduce yourself in Chinese by using any of the four expressions above. And whichever expression you use, don’t be afraid to sound silly. You’ll be understood by following our directions, and in nearly any Chinese-speaking area even the feeblest attempts to speak Chinese will be appreciated!

Your Name in Chinese Most Chinese people will have a hard time pronouncing a foreign name. If you haven’t picked a Chinese name yet, follow our guide to give yourself a Chinese-sounding name, or you can transliterate your name into Chinese to help them pronounce and remember your name better. For instance, instead of introducing yourself as “Elijah”, you could ask them to call you 伊利亚 (Yī lì yà). Read our full guide to learn how to say your name in Chinese .

我姓… (Wǒ  xìng  …)

Now, here’s an interesting fact:

Chinese people generally don’t refer to each other by their first name unless they’re close. To address those who they don’t know well or in a hierarchically higher position, the person’s family name or job title is often used. For instance,

• 李先生 (Lǐ xiānsheng) – Mr Li
• 张经理 (Zhāng jīnglǐ) – Manager Zhang
• 王老师 (Wáng lǎoshī) – Teacher Wang

Admittedly, you’ll be less likely to get asked about your family name being a foreigner, if it does come up, however, someone may ask 您贵姓？(Nín guì xìng)  – “(What’s) your noble family name?”, or in informal contexts:  你姓什么？(Nǐ xìng shénme)  – “You’re surnamed what?”. This means the speaker wants to learn your last name – 姓 (xìng), specifically.

To respond to these questions, begin your answer with 我姓… (Wǒ xìng …)  – “My surname is…” (literally, “I am surnamed”), then state your last name.

3. Express Pleasure to Meet Them – “Nice to meet you” in Chinese

Once you’ve exchanged your names info and shaken hands, it’s a good idea to follow it up with “nice to meet you”. The most universal way to express pleasure upon meeting someone  in Chinese is to say 很高兴认识你 (H ěn gāoxìng rènsh i  nǐ ) .

In this expression, 很 (hěn) means “very”, 高兴 (gāoxìng) means “glad”, and 认识 (rènshi) means “to know or to be acquainted with someone”. So the sentence translates to “Very glad (to) know you” or something similar to “Very glad (to) make your acquaintance”.

Watch out for the pronoun use here. To say “nice to meet you” to a senior person or someone important, switch to the honorific pronoun 您 (nín) and say 很高兴认识您 (H ěn gāoxìng rènsh i  nín ) . And when you’re addressing a group of people – 很高兴认识大家 (H ěn gāoxìng rènshi d àjiā ) .  

If someone says “glad to meet you” ahead of you, you can simply respond 我也是 (wǒ yě shì)  – “I am (glad) too” (literally, “I also am”) to indicate that you’re pleased to meet them too.

Of course, there are a handful of ways to end an introduction politely in Chinese, which I will teach you in a later section. But for most situations, you can just stick to 很高兴认识你/您/大家 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ/nín/dàjiā).

Chinese Self-introductions in a Nutshell

• The most common and simple way to introduce yourself in Chinese is to say “我叫 (Wǒ jiào)” followed by your name.
• Alternatives include “我的名字叫 (Wǒ de míngzi jiào)”, “我是 (Wǒ shì)” or “我的名字是 (Wǒ de míngzi shì)” followed by your name.
• “你好 (Nǐ hǎo)” can be used for either “hi” or “hello.” When respect is called for, use “您好 (Nín hǎo)”. When introducing yourself to a group of people, greet them with 大家好 (Dàjiā hǎo).
• Conclude your self-introduction in Chinese with “很高兴认识你/您/大家 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ/nín/dàjiā)”.    

Basic Chinese Introduction Examples

• 你好, 我叫威廉, 很高兴认识你。 Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào Wēi lián, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. Hi, my name is William. Nice to meet you.
• 您好, 我的名字叫爱丽丝, 很高兴认识您。 Nín hǎo, wǒ de míngzi jiào Ài lì sī, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín. Hello, my name is Alice. Nice to meet you (honorific).
• 大家好, 我是詹姆斯·布雷迪, 很高兴认识大家。 Dàjiā hǎo, wǒ shì Zhān mǔ sī · Bù léi dí , hěn gāoxìng rènshi dàjiā. Hello everybody, I am James Brady. Nice to meet you all.

Chinese Etiquette to Introduce Yourself

It’s great to know the phrases to say when introducing yourself in Chinese, but how you say those phrases will make or break your self-introduction.

There are cultural differences to be aware of. They’re subtle, so if you miss them, it probably won’t be counted against you as a foreigner. But paying attention to details like these can give you an extra social edge when you first meet a new Chinese friend.

Read the Context

To establish a good rapport from the very beginning, you should learn the typical Chinese introduction phrases, and understand how to adapt the tone and content of the introduction according to the person you’re meeting, whether it’s a social or a professional encounter, a casual or formal setting.

So, choose the version of the Chinese introduction wisely ! Use the correct phrases to eliminate the awkwardness that sometimes happens when people meet for the first time.  If you’re unsure, lean toward formality . You can always ease into a more laid-back approach after the ice is broken.

Be Friendly

Be friendly in any situation. You can show through your gestures that you’re glad to meet them. 

Unlike Japanese and Koreans, Chinese people never bow when meeting someone. Eye contact, a firm handshake, a smile, and a few standard phrases will be enough. (And please, no hugs or kisses!)

One thing you do have to take note of is the order of the handshake – there are some strict conventional rules. Don’t move in for the handshake if you are meeting ladies and people in a higher position of authority or age. Instead, wait for them to reach out first. But if you’re meeting your peers, you don’t have to worry about who reaches out first (generally, whoever reaches out first is considered more polite).

And if you are not sure when to extend your hand, you can just hold it and let your conversation partner take the initiative. Sometimes a simple nod of the head will show that you acknowledge the other person and that you’re happy to make their acquaintance.

Address Properly

In China, people either introduce themselves by their family names or full names. Chinese family names are typically one character /syllable in length and easily recognizable. You can also take cues from the expression 我姓… (Wǒ xìng …) – “My surname is …” which is specifically used to introduce one’s family name.

If someone only tells you their family name, it means they are not ready to be your friends yet and would prefer you to address them by their family name + title (e.g. Mr. Wang, Professor Li, Engineer Zhou, etc). So don’t ask for their first name – it’s considered rude in Chinese culture .

When Chinese people volunteer their full name, the family name comes first and the first name comes second. 

If you have a Chinese name, it’s customary to introduce your full name because your Chinese family name is – let’s get real – not your real family name. For example, if your Chinese name is 安龙 (Ān lóng), you should introduce yourself as 安龙 (Ān lóng), not Mr 安 (Ān) or just 龙 (Lóng). If your name is transliterated from English, however, you don’t need to change the order of names.

People with experience of living in the West would sometimes reverse the Chinese name order when interacting in English to conform to the common Western practice. If you are not sure whether a switch has been made when you meet Chinese people and they introduce themselves by full names, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask which of their names is their family name or their given name.

Beyond the Basics – Talking about Yourself in Chinese

You nailed the initial three pieces of the Chinese self-introduction. Great job!

Now you’ve said 你好, 我叫… (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào …) – “Hello, my name is …”, and you’ve smiled, nodded, shaken hands, and expressed delight about meeting your new Chinese friends or associates, you’re ready to take the conversation to the next level!

From here we get into the fun stuff. You can start adding information about yourself, using short sentences that explain where you’re from, what you do, what you like, and so on.

Sharing basic information about you will help people get to know you better when you first introduce yourself. This is especially valuable as you start to make more Chinese-speaking friends and acquaintances.

Here are some sentences you can use to tell more about yourself in Chinese.

1. Introducing Where You Are from

Being a foreigner in China always sparks the imagination of the Chinese. It’s a good idea to let people know where you’re from as the next step of your Chinese self-introduction. Even if you don’t use it during the initial self-intro, your new Chinese friend will probably ask you anyway, so memorizing a few of these phrases is extremely useful.

There are a few ways to ask “where are you from?” in Chinese.

If you hear 你是哪个国家的？(Nǐ shì nǎ gè guójiā de)  – literally, “You are of which country?” or 你是哪国人？(Nǐ shì nǎ guó rén)  – “You are which country person?”, this means the person wants to know your country of origin.

我是…人 (Wǒ shì … rén )

The usual answer to questions about your country of origin is 我是…人 (Wǒ shì … rén ) – I come from … (literally, “I am … person”).  

Simply start the sentence with 我是 (Wǒ shì) , say the name of your country, and add the word 人 (rén)  – “person” afterward.

For example,

• 我是 美国 人。 Wǒ shì Měiguó rén. I am from America. Literally, “I am America person.” 
• 我是 加拿大 人。 Wǒ shì  Jiānádà  rén. I am from Canada. Literally, “I am Canada person.”

Not sure how to say your country in Chinese? Practice with our complete list of country names written out in Chinese (plus abbreviations) .

You may also get asked 你是哪里人？(Nǐ shì nǎli rén)  – literally, “You are where person?” or 你来自哪里？(Nǐ lái zì nǎli)  – “You come from where?” These questions are similar to the English “where are you from?”.

You may still respond with your country of origin, but you’re welcome to name your city, state, or prefecture as well if it’s a major or well-known one like Paris or California. To do so, simply substitute the name of the specific place for the country.  

• 我是 巴黎 人。 Wǒ shì Bālí rén. I am from Paris. Literally, “I am Paris person.”
• 我是 加利福尼亚 人。 Wǒ shì Jiālìfúníyà rén. I am from California. Literally, “I am California person.”

我来自…  (Wǒ lái zì   …)

You can also phrase your answer as 我来自  (Wǒ lái zì)  – “I come from” and the name of the place. It sounds slightly more formal than the 我是…人 (Wǒ shì … rén) structure, but English speakers might find it easier to remember.

• 我来自 法国 。 Wǒ lái zì Fǎguó . I come from France.
• 我来自 巴黎 。 Wǒ lái zì Bālí . I come from Paris.
• 我来自 美国 。 Wǒ lái zì Měiguó . I come from America.
• 我来自 加利福尼亚 。 Wǒ lái zì Jiālìfúníyà . I come from California.

Don’t forget to ask the same questions in return or simply ask 你呢？(nǐ ne) or 您呢 (nín ne) – “and you?” to keep the conversation going.

If you are American, one of the most common questions you’ll get asked from curious Chinese people is which US state you’re from. You can learn how to say your state in Chinese here.

2. Introducing Where You Live

Now that your new Chinese friends know where you’re from originally, they may want to know some additional information about your current status. For example, where you live at the moment.

If they are interested in your current place of residence, they might ask you 你住在哪里？(Nǐ zhù zài nǎli)  or 你住在哪儿？(Nǐ zhù zài  nǎr )  – literally “You live in where?”.

Both 哪里 (nǎli) and 哪儿  (nǎr) mean “where”, with 哪儿  (nǎr) used more often in northern China. You can navigate your way around China town or any place in China easily with this question word. Learn more Survival Chinese .

我住在… (W ǒ zhù zài  …)

The best way to answer the question is to say 我住在 (W ǒ zhù zài )  – “I live in” and the name of the city or region where you live.

• 我住在 伦敦 。 Wǒ zhù zài Lúndūn . I live in London.
• 我住在 北京 。 Wǒ zhù zài Běijīng . I live in Beijing.

If you want to tell people you were born or grew up in one place, but live in another, you can use the conjunction 但 (dàn)  – “but” to connect the two sentences, like

• 我是英国人, 但 我住在澳大利亚。 Wǒ shì Yīngguó rén , dàn  wǒ zhù zài Àodàlìyà. I am British, but I live in Australia.
• 我来自纽约, 但 我住在得克萨斯. Wǒ lái zì Niǔyuē , dàn  wǒ zhù zài Dékèsàsī. I am from New York, but I live in Texas.

3. Introducing Your Age  

As in many parts of the world, asking someone about their age is generally considered impolite in China, especially if you’re a man asking a woman her age. Nevertheless, you can volunteer your age when introducing yourself in Chinese, and your conversation partner will probably do the same.

我…岁 (Wǒ … suì)

Here’s how you would say how old you are in Chinese: start with the pronoun 我 (wǒ) – “I”, followed by the number of your age, and end with 岁 (suì) , which means “years of age”.

For example:

• 我 二十五 岁。 Wǒ èr shí wǔ suì. I am twenty-five years old. Literally, “I twenty-five years of age.”

To tell people your age, simply substitute the number that corresponds to your age in the orange font.

You’ll notice that in English, you use the verb “to be” (am) when describing how old you are (and in some languages, you use the verb “to have”). In Chinese, however, you must drop the verb entirely and connect the subject directly with the age . So, it’s like saying “I ___ years old.” Read more about the topic-comment structure in Chinese .

Okay, to fully introduce yourself in Chinese and state your age, you’ll need to know Chinese numbers. You can follow our complete tutorial here to learn the Chinese numeral system .

At some point, you might still need to ask “how old are you?” in Chinese. And the way you compose this question should be dependent on the age of the person you’re talking to.

To ask about a kid’s age in Chinese, simply say   你几岁？(Nǐ jǐ suì?)  

But for inquiring about an adult’s age in Chinese, you should say 你多少岁？(Nǐ duōshǎo suì)  or 您多少岁？(Nín duōshǎo  suì)  – if you want to show an extra level of respect.

Both 几 (jǐ) and 多少 (duōshǎo) are Chinese question words for numbers. So all these questions translate to “You, what number years of age?”, literally. The difference is that 几 (jǐ) is reserved for small numbers, while 多少 (duōshǎo) is used to inquire about big numbers.

As with many expressions in Chinese, there are a few more ways to inquire about a person’s age. You can follow our complete guide here to learn the various ways of saying and asking age in Chinese .

4. Introducing Your Profession 

The Chinese love talking about jobs and careers. It’s not uncommon for people to ask about each other’s profession during Chinese introductions, especially if it’s a social encounter where people are doing networking.

Some of the first and most common conversations you’ll have in Chinese will require you to answer the question 你是做什么的？(Nǐ shì zuò  shénme de ) , which roughly translates to “what is that you do?” or “what do you do for a living?”

Another way to approach this subject is to ask  你在哪里工作？( Nǐ zài nǎlǐ gōngzuò ) , or more colloquially  你在哪里上班？( Nǐ zài nǎlǐ shàngbān ) , both of which mean “where do you work?” 

When answering these questions with your profession or telling someone about your job, there are a few structures you can use.

我是一名… ( Wǒ shì yì míng …)

This is the most common way to say what you do in Chinese: start the sentence with 我是一名 ( Wǒ shì yì míng) , which means “I am a”, and then add your profession or job at the end of the sentence.

• 我是一名 医生 。 Wǒ shì yì míng  yīshēng . I am a doctor.
• 我是一名 律师 。 Wǒ shì yì míng  lǜshī . I am a lawyer.
• 我是一名 工程师 。 Wǒ shì yì míng  gōngchéngshī . I am an engineer.

If you are a student, you can say

• 我是一名 学生 。 Wǒ shì yì míng  xuésheng . I am a student.

Keep in mind that you need to add a measure word between a number (a/one) and a noun in Chinese. And the best measure word for professions in this context is 名 (míng) . For example, you wouldn’t just say 一医生 (yì yīshēng) for “a doctor”, you would say 一名医生 (yì míng yīshēng), which translates to “a [measure word] doctor”.

A quick grammar usage note: like some languages, you can drop “a” (一名 [yì míng]) before the job in Chinese sometimes and just say 我是 (Wǒ shì) + profession (e.g. 我是医生 [Wǒ shì yīshēng]), however, this does not sound natural to Chinese people when you introduce your profession. So better slip 一名 (yì míng) in the middle of the sentence!

我在…工作/上班 (Wǒ zài … gōngzuò /shàng bān )

To tell your conversation partner about the company, institution or location where you’re currently employed, you’ll say  我在…工作 (Wǒ zài … gōngzuò )  or 我在…上班 (Wǒ zài … shàng bān ) . Both 工作 (gōngzuò) and 上班 (shàngbān) mean “work” in Chinese (工作 [gōngzuò] is slightly more formal), so these expressions are the Chinese equivalents of “I work at/in …”.

• 我在 银行 工作。 Wǒ zài yínháng  gōngzuò. I work in a bank.
• 我在 欧莱雅 上班。 Wǒ zài Ōu lái yǎ shàngbān. I work at L’Oréal.

Remember to substitute the name of your workplace in the orange font. 

我在…上学/读书 ( Wǒ zài  … shàngxué / dúshū )

Students can say where they’re studying by swapping out “work” – 工作 (gōngzuò) or 上班 (shàngbān) with “study” – 上学 ( shàngxué )  or more colloquially 读书 ( dúshū ) .

• 我在 北京大学 上学。 Wǒ zài Běijīng dàxué  shàngxué. I am studying at Peking University.
• 我在 纽约大学 读书。 Wǒ zài Niǔyuē dàxué  dúshū. I am studying at New York University.

See? One easy switch and you’re ready to tell people about your education situation.

Lastly, to say you’re a freelancer, say 我是自由职业 (Wǒ shì zìyóu zhíyè) . And if you’re unemployed, say 我没有工作 (Wǒ méiyǒu gōngzuò)  – “I don’t have a job”. Or if you’re currently looking for a job – 我正在找工作 (Wǒ zhèng zài zhǎo gōngzuò) .

Since “What’s your job?” is a question you might get asked all the time in China, it’s a great idea to memorize the name of your profession in Chinese before embarking on your Chinese conversation journey. That way, you won’t get flustered when it comes up!

To understand what your new friend does for a living, you’ll want to have a solid vocabulary base of Chinese professions. You can practice the names of popular professions in Chinese with our guide here.

5. Introducing Your Family

Family is yet another evergreen small talk topic that you should be prepared to address when introducing yourself in Chinese.

But before learning how to introduce your family, you should know that family is so important in Chinese culture that Chinese has a specific word for almost every family relationship. For example, elder brother and younger brother.

So here’s some key relationship vocabulary.

In China, asking about a person’s family shows a desire to understand the person better. You may get asked if you have any brothers or sisters:

• 你有兄弟姐妹吗？ Nǐ yǒu xiōngdì jiěmèi ma? Do you have any siblings? Literally, “You have brothers (and) sisters ma?”

or how many brothers or sisters you have:

• 你有几个兄弟姐妹？ Nǐ yǒu jǐ gè xiōngdì jiěmèi? How many siblings do you have? Literally, “You have how many brothers (and) sisters?”

我有 (Wǒ yǒu) + number + 个  (gè)  + relationship

To say how many brothers and sisters you have, use the structure 我有 (Wǒ yǒu) + number + 个  (gè)  + relationship , which can be translated as “I have however many of a certain type of relationship”. For instance,

• 我有 一 个 哥哥 。 Wǒ yǒu  yí  gè  gēge . I have an elder brother.
• 我有 两 个 妹妹 。 Wǒ yǒu  liǎng  gè  mèimei . I have two younger sisters.

Here, 有 (yǒu)  is the “have” in Chinese used to express possession, and 个 (gè)  is the measure word for counting people.

To connect multiple relationships, you can use the conjunction 和 ( hé )  – “and”.

• 我有一个哥哥 和 两个妹妹。 Wǒ yǒu yí gè gēge  hé  liǎng gè mèimei. I have an elder brother and two younger sisters.

And if you don’t have siblings, you can say

• 我没有兄弟姐妹。 Wǒ méiyǒu xiōngdì jiěmèi. I don’t have siblings.

To say that you don’t have someone (or something), simply start your sentence with 我没有(Wǒ méiyǒu) . 没 (méi) is the negation word for “have” in Chinese. (Read more about how to express possession in Chinese )

or you can say

• 我是独生子女。 Wǒ shì dú shēng zǐnǚ. I am an only child.

You may also get asked if you’re married in some situations.

• 你结婚了吗？ Nǐ jiéhūn le ma? Are you married?

To say that you’re married, say 我结婚了 (Wǒ  jiéhūn le )  – “I am married”. And if you’re not,  我还没结婚 (Wǒ  hái méi jiéhūn )  – literally, “I still haven’t married”, or  我单身 (Wǒ dān shēn )  – “I (am) single.”

If you’re currently dating someone, you can use the sibling sentence structure.

• 我有一个女朋友。 Wǒ yǒu yí gè nǚ péngyou. I have a girlfriend.
• 我有一个男朋友。 Wǒ yǒu yí gè nán péngyou. I have a boyfriend.

You can also use the sibling sentence structure to talk about your children if you have any.

• 我有三个孩子。 Wǒ yǒu sān gè háizi. I have three kids.
• 我有一个儿子和两个女儿。 Wǒ yǒu yí gè érzi hé liǎng gè nǚ’ér. I have a son and two daughters.

You can even introduce your four-legged family members using this structure. Just make sure to change the measure word 个 (gè), which is reserved for people, to appropriate measure words for animals, for example, 只 ( zhī ) for cats  and 条 ( tiáo ) for dogs .

• 我有两 只 猫。 Wǒ yǒu liǎng  zhī  māo. I have two cats.
• 我有三 条 狗。 Wǒ yǒu sān tiáo  gǒu. I have three dogs.

A quick grammar tip: Mandarin has two words for the number “two”: 二 (èr) and 两 (liǎng). When it comes to counting people and objects, always use 两 (liǎng). For example, to say “two kids”, you would say “两个孩子 (liǎng gè háizi)”, not “二个孩子 (èr gè háizi)”. Read more about when to use 两 (liǎng) over 二 (èr) .

6. Talking about Your Languages 

Since you’re introducing yourself in Chinese, your new Chinese friends will likely be interested in finding out how you’ve learned their native language and what led you to take it up.

First, you may get asked, “how long have you been learning the Chinese language?”.

In Chinese, this question may sound something like 你学了多久中文？ (Nǐ xué  le duō jiǔ  Z hōngwén )  – literally, “You’ve learned how long time Chinese?” or  你汉语学了多长时间 ？(Nǐ Hàn yǔ xué le duō cháng shíjiān )  – “You, Chinese learned how long time?”

我学了 (Wǒ xué  le ) + time duration + 中文 (Z hōngwén )/汉语 (H ànyǔ )

To respond, say 我学了 (Wǒ xué  le ) – “I’ve learned” first, followed by the time duration and then the word 中文 (Z hōngwén )  or 汉语 (H ànyǔ )  – “Chinese”.

• 我学了 三个月 中文。 Wǒ xué le  sān gè yuè  Zhōngwén. I’ve been learning Chinese for three months.
• 我学了 半年 汉语。 Wǒ xué le  bàn nián Hànyǔ. I’ve been learning Chinese for half a year.

In Chinese, several words are used to refer to “the Chinese language”. The word 汉语 (Hànyǔ) means the language of Han Chinese people (the largest ethnic group in China that comprises approximately 92% of its population), in contrast with the languages of the non-Han Chinese peoples in China (e.g. Tibetan , Uyghur , etc). 汉语 (Hànyǔ) is, therefore, the accurate, scientific term for the language. However, the most popular term for the Chinese language is 中文 (Zhōngwén), which translates to “China language”, literally.

If you can respond to the first question, chances are you’ll also be asked  你在哪里学的中文/汉语 ？(Nǐ zài n ǎlǐ xué de Zh ōngwén/ H ànyǔ )  – “Where did you learn Chinese?” (literally, “You in where learned Chinese”)

我在…学的中文/汉语 (W ǒ zài  …  xué de  Z hōngwén /H ànyǔ )

To reply to this question, simply swap out the question word 哪里 (nǎlǐ) – “where” in the question with the name of the place, like

• 我在 北京 学的中文。 Wǒ zài Běijīng xué de Zhōngwén. I learned Chinese in Beijing.
• 我在 学校 学的中文。 Wǒ zài xuéxiào  xué de Zhōngwén. I learned Chinese at school.
• 我在 网上 学的汉语。 Wǒ zài wǎng shàng  xué de Hànyǔ. I learned Chinese online.

People might also ask you “why are you learning Chinese?” – 你为什么学中文/汉语？(N ǐ wèi shénme xué Zh ōngwén /H ànyǔ ).

To prepare to answer the question, take a look at these common examples:

我学中文/汉语是因为… (W ǒ xué Zh ōngwén /H ànyǔ shì yīnwèi  …) – “ (The reason) I learn Chinese is because … ”

• 我喜欢中国文化。 Wǒ xǐhuan Zhōngguó wénhuà. I like Chinese culture.
• 我想去中国工作。 Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó gōngzuò. I want to work in China.
• 我的女朋友是中国人。 Wǒ de nǚ péngyǒu shì Zhōngguó rén. My girlfriend is Chinese.
• 我的爸爸来自中国。 Wǒ de bàba lái zì Zhōngguó. My dad comes from China.

You will see more examples of how to talk about what you like, what you want, as well as introducing other people in the following sections, so don’t stress if you don’t get it yet!

Lastly, you might get asked 你会说哪些语言？ (Nǐ huì shuō nǎxiē yǔyán)  – “What languages do you speak?” (literally, “You can speak which languages?”)

我会说 (Wǒ huì shuō)

To answer, you can say 我会说 (Wǒ  huì shuō )  – “I can speak”, and then the names of the languages. Remember to use the conjunction 和 (hé) – “and” for linking multiple languages.

• 我会说 英语 , 法语 , 和 西班牙语 。 Wǒ huì shuō  Yīngyǔ ,  Fǎyǔ , hé  Xībānyáyǔ . I can speak English, French, and Spanish.

You can also say what languages you’re studying by saying  我正在学… (W ǒ zhèng zài xué  …)  – “I am studying …”. For example, as a Chinese learner, you could say 

• 我会说 英语 和 法语 , 我正在学 中文 。 Wǒ huì shuō  Yīngyǔ  hé  Fǎyǔ , wǒ zhèng zài xué  Zhōngwén . I speak English and French, (and) I am learning Chinese.

7. Talking about Your Interests and Hobbies 

Hobbies might not be the first topic you’ll touch upon when you introduce yourself in Chinese, but it’s certainly the most extensive one. Once you’re past the basics and need something interesting to talk about, you can share your passions to inspire further conversation.

Two common ways to ask someone about their hobbies in Chinese are

• 你平时喜欢做什么？ Nǐ píngshí xǐhuan zuò shénme? What do you like to do in your free time? Literally, “You ordinary time like to do what?”
• 你的爱好是什么？ Nǐ de àihào shì shénme? What’s your hobby? Literally, “Your hobby is what?”

我喜欢… ( Wǒ xǐhu a n  …)

You can answer the questions or speak about your hobbies and interests in various ways, but the easiest one is the expression 我喜欢… ( Wǒ xǐhu a n  …)  – “I like” and then list a noun or a verb.

Here’s a bunch of examples.

• 我喜欢 足球 。 Wǒ xǐhuan zúqiú . I like football.
• 我喜欢 旅行 。 Wǒ xǐhuan lǚxíng . I like traveling.
• 我喜欢 看小说 。 Wǒ xǐhuan  kàn xiǎoshuō . I like reading novels.
• 我喜欢 学外语 。 Wǒ xǐhuan xué wàiyǔ . I like learning foreign languages.

Useful Chinese Words and Phrases Related to Hobbies

Even if you don’t think of your interests as “hobbies,” you can describe them as such anyway.

我的爱好是… ( Wǒ de àihào shì  …)

Alternatively, you can say 我的爱好是 ( Wǒ de àihào shì )  – “My hobby is” then name a noun/verb or two.

• 我的爱好是 钓鱼 。 Wǒ de àihào shì diàoyú . My hobby is fishing.
• 我的爱好是 跑步 和 骑行 。 Wǒ de àihào shì  pǎobù  hé  qíxíng . My hobbies are running and cycling.

我对…很感兴趣 (W ǒ duì … hěn gǎn xìngqù )

You can also use the expression 我对…很感兴趣 (W ǒ duì … hěn gǎn xìngqù )  – “I am very interested in …” to let people know that you have a keen interest in something or doing something. Simply name the “thing” in the blank.

• 我对 汉字 很感兴趣。 Wǒ duì Hànzì hěn gǎn xìngqù. I am very interested in Chinese characters.
• 我对 中国文化 很感兴趣。 Wǒ duì  Zhōngguó wénhuà  hěn gǎn xìngqù. I am interested in Chinese culture.
• 我对 学中文 很感兴趣。 Wǒ duì xué Zhōngwén hěn gǎn xìngqù. I am very interested in learning Chinese.

我擅长… (Wǒ shàn cháng  …)

Lastly, if you want to tell people that you are good at something, you can say 我擅长 (Wǒ shàn cháng )  and then whatever it is that you excel at.

• 我擅长 做菜 。 Wǒ shàncháng  zuòcài . I am good at cooking.
• 我擅长 网球 和 乒乓 。 Wǒ shàncháng  wáng qiú  hé pīngpāng . I am good at tennis and table tennis.

Well, try not to show off too much. Revealing one or two of your strengths is great, but listing all your amazing abilities in your Chinese self-intro will probably annoy others and make you seem over-confident. After all, humility is the king of all virtues!  

8. Talking about Your Plans

And finally, you can include your plans in your Chinese self-introduction. For instance, what you want to do in the future, what new skills you’re trying to acquire, or where you’re traveling to this summer.

Here are some example sentences for talking about your plans in Chinese.

• 我想 去中国旅行 。 Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó lǚxíng . I want to take a trip to China.
• 我想 来上海实习 。 Wǒ xiǎng lái Shànghǎi shíxí . I want to do an internship in Shanghai.
• 我想 说流利的中文 。 Wǒ xiǎng  shuō liúlì de Zhōngwén . I want to speak fluent Chinese.
• 我打算 考 HSK 。 Wǒ dǎsuàn  kǎo  HSK . I plan to take the HSK exam.
• 我打算 在中国开一家公司 。 Wǒ dǎsuàn zài Zhōngguó kāi yì jiā gōngsī . I plan to start a business in China.
• 这个夏天 我打算 参加一个中文课程 。 Zhè gè xiàtiān wǒ dǎsuàn  cānjiā yì gè Zhōngwén kèchéng . I plan to take a Chinese course this summer.

A quick grammar note: the verb 打算 (dǎsuàn) is used to tell what you plan to do. It’s most commonly used in situations where you’ve already made up your mind. It’s definite (or almost definite). Don’t use it for instances where you’re just randomly thinking about something. In that case, use 想 (xiǎng) instead.

Unlike in English where you normally need a preposition like “to” to connect different verbs in a sentence, in Chinese, you can string the verbs together without any linking word to describe a sequence (e.g. want to do, plan to do). Read more on how to connect verbs in Chinese .  

Concluding Your Chinese Self-introduction

All good things come to an end, don’t they?

Earlier we learned how to use the set phrase 很高兴认识你 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ) to conclude your self-introduction. Here are a few more ways to end a conversation gracefully in Chinese.

• 认识你很高兴。 Rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng. Nice to meet you.

Here, you can rearrange the word order as 认识你很高兴 (R ènsh i nǐ  h ěn gāoxìng )  – literally, “Knowing you (I’m) very glad.” to express the pleasure of meeting someone when the conversation is over.

• 很高兴见到你。 Hěn gāoxìng jiàn dào nǐ. Nice to meet you. Literally, “Very glad (to) meet you”.
• 见到你很高兴。 Jiàn dào nǐ hěn gāoxìng. Nice to meet you. Literally, “Meeting you (I’m) very glad.” 

Alternatively, you can end with the phrase 很高兴见到你 (H ěn gāoxìng jiàn dào nǐ )  – “Very glad (to) meet you” or the other way around – 见到你很高兴 (J iàn dào nǐ  h ěn gāoxìng )  – “Meeting you (I’m) very glad”, two other popular ways of saying “Nice to meet you” in Chinese.

• 请(您)多多关照。 Qǐng (nín) duō duō guānzhào. Please look after me often.
• 请(您)多多指教。 Qǐng (nín) duō duō zhǐjiào. Please guide me often.

Modesty is viewed as a great virtue in Chinese culture. Chinese people like to keep a low profile both in regard to their own achievements, status as well as their interactions with others.

So in professional contexts, you could say 请(您)多多关照 (Q ǐng [nín]   duō duō guānzhà o)  – “Please look after me often” or 请(您)多多指教 (Q ǐng [nín] duō duō zhǐjiào )  – “Please guide me often” at the end of your self-introduction as a way of promoting modesty when you meet new Chinese colleagues or work contacts. It may not be common to say something like this in your culture, but in China, a humble concluding phrase like this can go a long way toward forging a bond!

If you’re excited about establishing a new friendship with someone and plan to meet them again, go ahead and ask for their phone number or WeChat (China’s WhatsApp-like messaging and social media app). Try being direct – it works pretty well in Chinese.

• 我们留个电话吧。 Wǒmen liú gè diànhuà ba. Let’s leave a phone number (to each other).
• 我们加个微信吧。 Wǒmen jiā gè wēixìn ba. Let’s friend each other on WeChat.

To say goodbye in Chinese, simply say 再见 (z àijiàn ) . But if you have another planned meeting with your new Chinese friend at some time soon, it would be more appropriate to say  回头见 ( huí tóu jiàn ) , which means “see you later” or “see you soon”.

How to Introduce Yourself in a Business Setting  

Throughout the article, we’ve already given you various pointers on how to introduce yourself in professional contexts, but it’s important to go deeper into them here if you ever have to introduce yourself in Chinese in a formal business setting.

1. Use the Formal Way of Addressing

Unless someone proposes to use 你 (nǐ), always use the formal way of addressing 您 (nín).

2. Introduce Your Last Name As Well As Your First Name

With regard to introducing your name, there is little difference between China and elsewhere. It is considered polite to give your full name on formal occasions.

If you have a Chinese name, say your last name before your first name. If your name is transliterated into Chinese, then keep the original name order.

3. Give a Brief Summary of Your Job

When you introduce yourself in a business setting, mention the company or organization you work for as well as your job position or the name of your profession in your Chinese self-introduction.

To do so, use the structure 我在…担任…  (W ǒ zài …  dānrèn …) , which translates to “I work as … in/at …” (literally, “I in … take on the position of …”), for example,

• 我在 谷歌 担任 软件工程师 。 wǒ zài  Gǔgē  dānrèn  ruǎnjiàn gōngchéngshī . I work as a software engineer at Google. Literally, “I in Google take on the position of a software engineer.”

4. Use Formal Words and Longer Sentences

Introducing yourself in a formal business setting will require you to use the formal form of Chinese words/phrases and longer sentences.

For example, instead of 我叫… (Wǒ jiào) – “I am called …” or 我是… (Wǒ shì) – “I am …” for introducing your name, it would be more appropriate to use the longer version  我的名字叫…  (Wǒ de míngzi j iào)  – “My name is called …” or  我的名字是…  (Wǒ de míngz i  shì)  – “My name is …”

And instead of saying 我在…上班 (Wǒ zài … shàngbān) – “I work in/at …” for telling people where you work, rephrase it as 我在…工作 ( Wǒ zài … gōngzuò)  or 我在…担任…  (W ǒ zài …  dānrèn …)  – “I work as … in/at …”.

To conclude your self-intro, you could say 非常荣幸认识您 (F ēicháng róngxìng rènsh i  nín )  – “Very honored to meet you” instead of 很高兴认识您 (Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín) – “Nice to meet you” to add a dash of humbleness.

5. Wait for Your Turn to be Introduced

In China, people in a lower position of authority or age will be introduced to the higher first. When it’s your turn to be introduced, stand up, smile, and look at the people also being introduced with ease.

Wait for the person of higher standing to initiate the handshake. Some Chinese people think handshakes are only for equals, so if that person doesn’t automatically offer you their hand, don’t offer yours to offend them! Just nod politely.

6. Use Both Hands to Present Your Business Card

Business cards are called 名片 (míngpiàn) in Chinese (literally, “name cards”), and they are an important part of Chinese work culture. 

When you present your business card, say  这是我的名片 (Zhè  shì wǒ de míngpiàn )  – “This is my business card”, and hold the top edge of the card with both hands to show the recipient respect.

When you are offered a business card, accept it with two hands as well. Make sure to read the person’s name and title on the card before you put it away. Show interest in what they do and act at least a bit impressed with their job title.

Example of Chinese Self-introduction in a Formal Setting

• 您好，我的名字叫大卫·摩根。我在宜家担任销售经理，这是我的名片。非常荣幸认识您。 Nín hǎo, wǒ de míngzi jiào Dà wèi · Mó gēn. Wǒ zài Yíjiā dānrèn xiāoshòu jīnglǐ, zhè shì wǒ de míngpiàn. Fēicháng róngxìng rènshi nín. Hi, my name is David Morgan. I work as a sales manager at Ikea. Here’s my business card. I am very honored to meet you.

Always remember that a self-introduction at a party or a business meeting will be different. You can be casual with friends or people of your age, but should always be formal in the business world. If need be, learn how to be even more prepared to give a strong and professional self-introduction for a Chinese job interview!

How to Introduce Someone in Chinese 

Now that you’ve learned how to introduce yourself in Chinese, in both an informal setting and a formal setting, you’re ready to try and introduce someone else, such as your family, friends, or colleagues.

Here are some typical expressions you can use to introduce other people. Use them to earn extra points with your new Chinese friends!

• 这是 我的妻子 。 Zhè shì wǒ de qīzi . This is my wife.
• 这是 我的丈夫 。 Zhè shì wǒ de zhàngfu . This is my husband.
• 这是 我的儿子 。 Zhè shì wǒ de érzi . This is my son.
• 这是 我的女儿 。 Zhè shì wǒ de nǚ’ér . This is my daughter.
• 这是 我的朋友马修 。 Zhè shì wǒ de péngyou Mǎ xiū . This is my friend, Matthew.
• 这是 我的同事珍妮 。 Zhè shì wǒ de tóngshì Zhēn nī . This is my colleague, Jenny.

Did you notice the pattern here? To introduce someone in Chinese, simply start the sentence with 这是 (Zhè  shì )  – meaning “This is” and finish it with the person you want to introduce.

If you aren’t sure whether your conversation partner has already met the other person, you can use the following phrases. (Simply swap out the name in the orange font for your friend)

• 你认识 巴尼 吗？ Nǐ rènshí  Bā ní  ma? Do you know Barney? Literally, “You know Barney ma?”
• 你见过 泰德 吗？ Nǐ jiàn guò  Tài dé  ma? Have you met Ted? Literally, “You have met Ted ma?”

Once you initiate the introduction, you might want to go on and tell others a bit more about that person. This is rather easy to do in Chinese, as you don’t have to conjugate the verbs like you would have to in many other languages.

In other words, you can just stick to the sentence patterns used for your self-introduction, change the subject to an appropriate one (or use the pronoun 他 [tā] for “he” and 她 [tā] for “she”) , and then you are good to go!

Here are some example sentences for introducing someone in Chinese.

• 我的妻子叫詹妮弗。她三十六岁。 Wǒ de qīzi jiào Zhān nī fú. Tā sān shí liù suì. My wife’s name is Jennifer. She is thirty-six years old.
• 她是英国人。她来自伦敦。 Tā shì Yīngguó rén. Tā lái zì Lúndūn. She is British. She’s from London.
• 我的丈夫是加拿大人。他叫山姆。 Wǒ de zhàngfu shì Jiānádà rén. Tā jiào Shān mǔ. My husband is Canadian. His name is Sam.
• 我的爸爸在多伦多工作。他是一名老师。 Wǒ de bàba zài Duōlúnduō gōngzuò. Tā shì yì míng lǎoshī. My dad works in Toronto. He is a teacher.
• 泰德住在纽约。他是一名建筑师。 Tài dé zhù zài Niǔyuē. Tā shì yì míng jiànzhùshī. Ted lives in New York. He is an architect.
• 泰德的儿子十五岁。他喜欢中国。他想学中文。 Tài dé de érzi shí wǔ suì. Tā xǐhuan Zhōngguó. Tā xiǎng xué Zhōngwén. Ted’s son is fifteen years old. He loves China. He wants to learn Chinese.

Note that while “he” and “she” are represented by different Chinese characters, they are pronounced the same. In a conversation, you’ll need the context to tell whether someone is talking about a male “tā” or female “tā”.

Introducing Yourself in Chinese: Quick Summary

Here’s a quick summary of the key introductory words and phrases you’ve learned from this article that you can use when introducing yourself in Chinese.

Example Self-introduction in Chinese

With the above Chinese introduction phrases under your belt, you’ll be able to make friends and acquaintances without any trouble at all. Just put the pieces together, mind the cultural differences, and practice till its second nature!

Here’s an example of a stellar self-introduction in Chinese for your reference.

• 你好，我叫谢尔顿。很高兴认识你。 Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào Xiè ěr dùn. Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. Hello, my name is Sheldon. Nice to meet you.
• 我是美国人。我来自得克萨斯，但现在住在加利福尼亚。 Wǒ shì Měiguó rén. Wǒ lái zì Dékèsàsī, dàn xiànzài zhù zài Jiālìfúníyà. I am American. I am from Texas, but currently I live in California.
• 我今年三十七岁，结婚了。这是我的妻子，她的名字叫艾米，她也是美国人。我们还没有孩子。 Wǒ jīnnián sān shí qī suì, jiéhūn le. Zhè shì wǒ de qīzi, tā de míngzi jiào Ài mǐ, tā yě shì Měiguó rén. Wǒmen hái méiyǒu háizi. I am thirty-seven years old this year, married. This is my wife. Her name is Amy. She is American too. We don’t have kids yet.
• 我和我的妻子都在加州理工学院工作。我是一名物理学家。我擅长理论。我的妻子是一名神经科学家。 Wǒ hé wǒ de qīzi dōu zài Jiāzhōu lǐgōng xuéyuàn gōngzuò. Wǒ shì yì míng wùlǐ xuéjiā. Wǒ shàncháng lǐlùn. Wǒ de qīzi shì yì míng shénjīng kēxuéjiā. My wife and I both work at Caltech. I am a physicist. I am good at theory. My wife is a neuroscientist.
• 我的爱好是桌游和漫画。平时我喜欢和朋友在一起。我对语言也很感兴趣。我会说克林贡语。我现在还在学中文。我想去中国旅行。你呢？ Wǒ de àihào shì zhuōyóu hé mànhuà. Píngshí wǒ xǐhuan hé péngyǒu zài yìqǐ. Wǒ duì yǔyán yě hěn gǎn xìngqù. Wǒ huì shuō Kèlíngòng yǔ. Wǒ xiànzài hái zài xué Zhōngwén. Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó lǚxíng. Nǐ ne? My hobbies are board games and comics. In my free time I enjoy being with friends. I am also very interested in languages. I can speak Klingon. I am also learning Chinese at the moment. I want to take a trip to China. What about you?

If there’s ever a time when you need a pause to figure out what to say next during your Chinese self-introduction, don’t be afraid to use filler words to stall for time. For example, you can say 那个 (nèi ge), which works like “um”, “uh”, “well”, or “you know” in English. Read more about Chinese filler words . And in case you don’t know what your conversation partner just said, use the expression 我没听懂 (wǒ méi tīng dǒng) to encourage the person to rephrase and explain with simpler Chinese. (Avoid the overused expression 听不懂 [tīng bù dǒng] which is a conversation killer! Read more about different ways of saying “I don’t understand” in Chinese .)

And One More Thing

No matter how little Chinese you know, it’s doable to introduce yourself to someone who speaks Chinese. In other words, you don’t need to understand the precise meanings of what you’re saying or how the words relate to each other grammatically to introduce yourself in Chinese. But if you’re curious, or if you’re planning on learning Chinese, check out our in-depth guide on how to best learn Chinese from scratch . If you are struggling to improve your Chinese, consider taking a structured Chinese course online – it’s far more effective than reading odd bits and pieces here and there, and trying to put them together on your own. We’ve tested dozens of online Chinese language programs, some are amazing while others are, well… a complete waste of time. Make sure to read our unbiased reviews here and discover the best Chinese course out there for you.  

How To Introduce Yourself In Chinese [Essential Phrases]

• Read time 12 mins

Knowing how to introduce yourself in Mandarin Chinese is essential.

Whether you’re forging new friendships, traveling to China, meeting new business partners, or going for a job interview, a good introduction will leave a good impression.

Beyond a simple hello, you may also want to equip yourself with other introductory phrases.

The context in which you introduce yourself obviously matters.

In this guide, I’ll cover some key phrases that will help you tackle self-introductions with more confidence and ease.

On top of that, understanding a thing or two about Chinese culture/etiquette will also give you an edge.

Etiquette when introducing yourself in Chinese

In Chinese culture, people don’t typically bow when greeting one another.

Instead, you’ll notice handshakes and nods being exchanged.

If it’s your first time meeting a stranger, it’s best to abstain from overly-friendly physical gestures, such as hugging or kissing on the cheek.

Though this may be common in other cultures, it’s rare in Chinese culture.

One of the most common ways to greet someone in China is with a quick handshake, the right amount of eye contact, and a warm smile. But if you’re meeting someone completely new or of a higher status, you may wish to wait for them to initiate the handshake before you go in for it.

And if they don’t, greet them with a polite nod instead.

In business and formal settings, allow your Chinese counterpart to initiate handshakes and try to introduce yourself with your full name. If business cards are exchanged, receive the other party’s card with both hands as a polite gesture.

Take a good look at it before storing it, as this conveys interest and respect. When handing over your business card, do it with both hands as well.

Key phrases to introduce yourself in Mandarin Chinese

Introductions don’t merely involve names.

You’ll likely start with a hello and your name. Moving on from that, you may also talk about your job, profession, where you’re from, or your age.

Any conversation is a two-way street, and the best introductions usually involve two people genuinely wanting to know each other better.

You won’t leave a good impression if you only talk about yourself the entire conversation!

Hence, we’ll also cover how you can ask for a person’s name, where they’re from, and what they’re currently doing.

After you’ve nailed the hellos (and goodbyes ), here’s are some key phrases to follow it up!

1. Telling people your name

After the hello, introductions usually start with an exchange of names.

You may ask for their name to break the ice. You can say 你叫什么名字(nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?), meaning “What’s your name?”

Another phrase you can use is 请问怎么称呼? (qǐngwèn zěnme chēnghu), meaning “How may I address you?”

Once they’ve given you their name, you may proceed with introducing yourself. To do so, you may use the phrase 我叫…, followed by your name. Other than that, you may also say 我的名字是… (wǒ de míngzi shì…), then your name.

If the person has asked for your name first, tell them your name, and you may then ask for theirs by saying, 你呢? (nǐ ne), which means “How about you?” The 你 means “you” while the 呢 is a questions particle in this context.

In business settings or formal situations, you may wish to use 您呢? (nín ne), where the 您 also carries the meaning “you” but is a formal, polite, and highly respectful way of addressing the other party.

If you’re meeting someone of a higher status, someone senior, your boss, or anyone you greatly respect and admire, then you should use 您 instead of the more casual 你.

In some settings, people would introduce themselves by their surname or last name. You can do the same by saying 我姓… (wǒ xìng…) followed by your last name.

2. Talking about your country of origin

If you’re a tourist or foreigner vising China, chances are, your Chinese friends and counterparts would be curious to know where you’re from.

They may also prompt you to talk a little more about your background and home country with the following questions:

These phrases have similar meanings and can be interchangeably used to ask the other person where they’re from or for their nationality.

You can then reply by saying 我是…人 (wǒ shì … rén).

You’ll insert your country into the phrase. For instance, if you’re from America, you can say 我是美国人 (wǒ shì měiguó rén). This means “I’m American.” or “I’m from America.”

If you’re in a slightly more formal setting, you can use the phrase 我来自… (wǒ lái zì…). If you’re from America, this would then be 我来自美国 (wǒ lái zì měiguó), which means “I am from America.”

Finally, your friends may be curious about where you’re currently based. The question you’ll come upon is 你住在哪里? (nǐ zhù zài nǎli), meaning “Where do you live?”

Of course, they’re not looking for your full address. What you could say is 我住在上海 (wǒ zhù zài shànghǎi), and this means “I live in Shanghai.” Replace the last two characters with your country or city of residence.

The following table lists some countries in Chinese.

3. Talking about what you currently do

You may need to talk a little about your job or career when meeting someone new.

On the flip side, you may also be interested in what the other party currently does for a living.

You may prompt them to talk a little more about their career pursuit by saying 你做什么工作? (nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?), meaning “What is your job?” Alternatively, you may also use the phrase 你的职业是什么? (nǐ de zhíyè shì shénme), which means “What is your occupation?”

You can also ask where they work by using the phrase 你在哪里工作? (nǐ zài nǎlǐ gōngzuò), meaning “Where do you work?”

You could then reply by saying something along the lines of 我是医生 (wǒ shì yī shēng), meaning “I am a doctor.” You’ll replace the last two characters with your profession or occupational identity.

If you’d like to be very proper, you can then say 我是一名医生 (wǒ shì yī míng yīshēng). Perhaps you’re currently studying. In this case, you can use the phrase 我是一名学生 (wǒ shì yī míng xuéshēng), which just means “I’m a student.”

In English, the “a” and “an” are commonly used before a noun. However, this would not be necessary for the Chinese language. The 一名 could be likened to the “a” or “an” in English. It’s best used when talking about occupations or professions.

You can still omit 一名, though, as it is not required to form a complete sentence.

Some native speakers may find that dropping the 一名 does not sound natural, so you may still wish to slot it into your sentence when talking about your profession.

Say the other party has asked you where you work. You can reply by saying 我在…工作 (wǒ zài … gōngzuò), which conveys the meaning “I work at…”

Perhaps you work at a café. In that case, you’ll say 我在咖啡店工作 (wǒ zài kāfēi diàn gōngzuò). Or if you work at a bank, you can then say 我在银行工作 (wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò). Replace the middle of the phrase with the location of your workplace.

The following table lists some common occupations.

Hopefully, this will help you introduce your profession confidently in Mandarin Chinese!

4. Introducing your hobbies and favorite activities

Having similar interests and hobbies is definitely one way to jumpstart a new friendship. In any conversation, finding common ground would be a huge advantage.

If you’re curious about what the other party enjoys doing during their free time, you can prompt them to share their interests. There are several variations you can use to go about this. These phrases include:

When asked about your hobbies and interests, you can reply with 我的爱好是… (wǒ de àihào shì…), meaning “My hobby is…” You can also say 我喜欢 (wǒ xǐhuān), which means “I like to…”

Insert your favorite pastime and interest at the end of the phrase.

For instance, if you enjoy playing video games, you can say 我喜欢玩电子游戏 (wǒ xǐhuān wán diànzǐ yóuxì).

Here’s a table of some common hobbies and interests.

5. Talking about your family

In China, your conversation might touch a little on the topic of family.

Asking basic questions about someone’s family conveys genuine interest in getting to know the other person. Of course, there’s no need to ask very personal questions.

Just a few simple questions will do the trick.

When meeting a family friend or a relative for the first time, you may expect some questions about family to come your way.

Some questions related to the topic of family include the following:-

When asked about siblings, you can talk about the number of brothers or sisters you have.

For instance, you can say 我有一个哥哥 (wǒ yǒu yīgè gēgē), meaning “I have one older brother.” 一 in that phrase means “one,” while 哥哥 means “older brother.” You can replace those accordingly.

Another example would be 我有两个姐姐 (wǒ yǒu liǎng gè jiějiě), which means “I have two older sisters.”

If asked about how your parents are currently doing, you can say something along the lines of 我的父母还好 (wǒ de fùmǔ hái hǎo). This means, “My parents are doing alright.”

Say you’re asked 你结婚了吗? (Are you married?).

In that case, you can reply with 结婚了 (jiéhūnle), meaning “I’m married.” or 我单身 (wǒ dānshēn), which means “I’m single.” or “I’m not attached.”

Finally, you may be met with questions about your children, for example, the number of children you have.

You can reply with something along the lines of 我有一个女儿 (wǒ yǒu yīgè nǚ’ér), meaning “I have one daughter.”

If you have a son, you can say 我有一个儿子 (wǒ yǒu yīgè er zi).

Introducing yourself to someone new goes beyond a simple name exchange

By broadening your vocabulary and knowledge of Mandarin Chinese, you can introduce yourself to another person with more confidence.

Plus, one way to convey a genuine interest in getting to know the other party is to prompt them with relevant questions.

Without a doubt, the best conversations are a two-way street.

By learning a mix of questions and replies to use in such introductory discussions, you’ll definitely leave a positive and lasting impression!

Where to from here?

Follow this up with some awesome Chinese courses we’ve reviewed, as well as apps and books .

Or jump on italki and start introducing yourself to Chinese speakers now.

Which phrases do you typically use to introduce yourself?

Let me know in the comments below - especially if they haven’t been mentioned in this list.

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30+ Ways To Know How To Introduce Yourself In Chinese For Any Occasion

The ability to present yourself effectively forms the bedrock of successful communication, making it an indispensable tool in your linguistic arsenal.

If the question, 'How to introduce yourself in Chinese,' has been on your mind, you have arrived at the right place.

This comprehensive guide is designed to help you grasp the basics and understand the subtle nuances that make self-introduction in Chinese a fascinating skill to learn and master.

Whether you're starting with ' nǐ hǎo ' (你好) or are an advanced learner, this guide will provide invaluable insights that will have you impress your new Chinese friends. With consistent practice, patience, and this guide, you will soon be able to introduce yourself in Chinese easily and confidently.

Without further ado, let's get started!

Build up your Chinese vocabulary 📈 Level up your Chinese skills with Pandanese's SRS and mnemonic-powered flashcards Let’s get started

The script: how to introduce yourself in Chinese

Step 1. Say a Chinese greeting

Start any conversation with a friendly greeting. A common and versatile way to say "hello" in Chinese is 你好 ( Nǐ hǎo ), which translates to "you're good." It's equivalent to the English "hi" or "hello."

We actually have a whole article about greetings in Chinese, so take a look for a more in-depth conversation: Chinese Greetings—The Complete Guide to Greeting Anyone at Any Time in Chinese .

Here’s a common Chinese introduction script to say hi, your name, and where you’re from

Step 2. Say your name in Chinese

When asked, "What's your name?" in Chinese, you can reply with "我叫..." ( Wǒ jiào ... ) followed by your name. For example, " 我叫 威廉" ( Wǒ jiào Wēi lián ) means " My name is William."

For a more formal introduction, use "我的名字叫..." ( Wǒ de míngzi jiào ... ) before stating your name.

Alternatively, you can say, "我是..." ( Wǒ shì .. .) followed by your name, which translates to " I am .. ." and is an easier way to introduce yourself.

Then to ask for the other person's name, you can use "你呢？" ( nǐ ne ) for informal situations or “您呢？” ( nín ne ) for formal situations, both meaning "and you?"

Step 3. Express pleasure to meet them

After exchanging names, express your delight in meeting the person by saying "很高兴认识你" ( Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ ), which means "Nice to meet you." 

For a more formal setting, use "很高兴认识您" ( Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín ).

Remember to smile, maintain eye contact, and offer a firm handshake to show your friendliness and respect.

10 unique phrases to introduce yourself in Chinese

Mastering the art of 'how to introduce yourself in Chinese' is more than merely uttering your name or age. It's an integral step in Chinese culture as it's your first step to fostering relationships and earning mutual respect.

Next, let's move on to more complete ways that will help you complete a self-introduction.

In a general context, let's dive into 10 handy sentences that can equip you to introduce yourself in Chinese with finesse:

1. " Nǐ hǎo, wǒ de míngzi shì ..." (你好，我的名字是...)

Start with the basic greeting " nǐ hǎo " (你好), which means "hello." Then follow it up with " wǒ de míngzi shì " (我的名字是), meaning "my name is."

For example, " Nǐ hǎo, wǒ de míngzi shì Tom " translates to "Hello, my name is Tom."

2. " Wǒ lái zì... " (我来自...)

When you want to share where you're from, use " wǒ lái zì " (我来自) followed by your hometown or country.

If you are from America, you can say, " Wǒ lái zì Měiguó " (我来自美国).

3. " Wǒ shì yì míng ..." (我是一名...)

This phrase is perfect for stating your profession.

For instance, " Wǒ shì yì míng yīshēng " (我是一名医生) translates to "I am a doctor."

4. " Wǒ zài...xuéxí " (我在...学习)

To express where you're studying, use the phrase " wǒ zài...xuéxí " (我在...学习).

So if you're studying at Beijing University, you'd say, " Wǒ zài Běijīng dàxué xuéxí " (我在北京大学学习).

5. " Wǒ de àihào shì ..." (我的爱好是...)

This phrase is to share your hobbies. Say, " wǒ de àihào shì " (我的爱好是), followed by your hobby.

For example, " Wǒ de àihào shì tīng yīnyuè " (我的爱好是听音乐) means "My hobby is listening to music."

6. " Wǒ xìng ..." (我姓...)

In Chinese, the family name or surname comes first, which is why the phrase " wǒ xìng " (我姓), followed by your surname, is a crucial part of introductions.

For instance, " Wǒ xìng Li " (我姓李) translates to "My surname is Li."

7. " Wǒ zài...gōngzuò " (我在...工作)

This phrase allows you to share your work location. It can also be used to express the company that you are working at.

For example, " Wǒ zài Yīngguó gōngzuò " (我在英国工作) means "I work in England."

8. " Wǒ shì...suì " (我是...岁)

To share your age, use " Wǒ shì...suì " (我是...岁) and any Chinese numbers .

So if you're 25, you'd say, " Wǒ shì 25 suì " (我是25岁).

9. " Wǒ shì ..." (我是...)

" Wǒ shì " (我是) can also be used to specify your gender. " Wǒ shì nǚshēng " (我是女生) means "I am a female."

10. " Wǒ shì...rén " (我是...人)

Indicate your nationality using this phrase.

For example, " Wǒ shì zhōngguó rén " (我是中国人) means "I am a Chinese person."

General notes on Chinese introductions

Now that you have the basic information on how to introduce yourself in Chinese, it's crucial to understand cultural contexts.

a. Age plays an information rule.

In contrast to many Western cultures, it's not uncommon for someone to ask about your age early in a conversation. 

In Chinese society, age plays a pivotal role in defining the hierarchical structure of relationships, influencing the respect one should show to another. Consequently, such questions are optional but necessary for establishing rapport and respect.

b. Be patient and polite.

Patience and politeness are integral aspects of introducing yourself in Chinese.

Building a conversation requires time, so it's essential to exercise patience when trying to make a good impression. On the other hand, politeness can be reflected in how you listen attentively, show respect towards the other person's opinions, and express gratitude for their time and attention.

c. Be aware of any cultural sensitivity and insights.

Developing a basic understanding of Chinese culture will significantly improve your communication with Chinese friends. 

This understanding can range from knowing when to bow or shake hands, understanding how to address someone by their correct title, to showing appreciation for Chinese traditions and history.

d. Know the non-verbal cues.

Body language is another crucial factor to consider. Maintaining eye contact while speaking, giving affirmative nods to show that you are listening, and having a relaxed yet respectful posture can positively influence your interactions.

13 phrases to introduce yourself for a Chinese date

If you are preparing for a date and you want to introduce yourself in Chinese, here are 13 sentences to help you impress:

1. " Nǐ hǎo, hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ " (你好，很高兴认识你)

When introducing yourself on a date, this phrase adds a bit of charm to your greeting.

For example, " Nǐ hǎo, hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ " (你好，很高兴认识你) translates to "Hello, nice to meet you."

2. " Wǒ ài..., nǐ ne ?" (我爱...，你呢？)

This phrase is useful when you want to share your likes and ask your date about their preferences.

" Wǒ ài pǔtáojiǔ, nǐ ne? " (我爱葡萄酒，你呢？) translates to "I love wine, and you?"

3. " Wǒ lái zì..., nǐ ne? " (我来自...，你呢？)

Talking about where you come from can be a great conversation starter. " Wǒ lái zì Fǎguó, nǐ ne? " (我来自法国，你呢？) means "I come from France, and you?"

4. " Wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐ yìqǐ cānguān zhège bówùguǎn " (我想跟你一起参观这个博物馆)

If you're planning to visit a museum with your date, you can say, " Wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐ yìqǐ cānguān zhège bówùguǎn " (我想跟你一起参观这个博物馆), which means "I would like to visit this museum with you."

5. " Nǐ xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng ma? " (你喜欢看电影吗?)

This phrase is great for asking your date if they enjoy watching movies.

" Nǐ xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng ma? " (你喜欢看电影吗?) means "Do you like watching movies?"

6. " Nǐ xǐhuān tīng shénme yīnyuè? " (你喜欢听什么音乐?)

Music can be a great conversation starter. Use this phrase to ask your date what kind of music they like. It means, "What kind of music do you like?"

7. " Wǒ kěyǐ qǐng nǐ hē yì bēi kāfēi ma? " (我可以请你喝一杯咖啡吗?)

This phrase is perfect for inviting your date for a cup of coffee.

" Wǒ kěyǐ qǐng nǐ hē yì bēi kāfēi ma? " (我可以请你喝一杯咖啡吗?) translates to "May I invite you for a cup of coffee?"

8. " Wǒ kěyǐ qǐng nǐ wǎncān ma? " (我可以请你晚餐吗?)

This phrase is ideal for asking your date to dinner. It translates to "May I invite you for dinner?"

9. " Nǐ yǒu shénme tèbié de àihào? " (你有什么特别的爱好?)

Hobbies can tell a lot about a person. Use this phrase to ask about your date's unique hobbies. It means, "What special hobbies do you have?"

10. "Nǐ xǐhuān kàn shénme shū?" (你喜欢看什么书?)

This phrase can be useful if you are interested in your date's reading preferences. It translates to "What kind of books do you like?"

11. " Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? " (你叫什么名字?)

After introducing your name, you can also ask the other party for their name.

This phrase translates to "What is your name?"

12. " Nǐ zhù zài nǎli? " (你住在哪里?)

To know where someone is staying, you can ask them this phrase: "Nǐ zhù zài nǎli?" (你住在哪里?) which roughly translates to "Where do you stay?" 

If you ask this question through online dating platforms, the other person will likely reply with the city they stay in.

13. " Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò? " (你做什么工作?)

Asking a potential partner's profession is also common during the first date.

This sentence "你做什么工作?" translates to "What is your profession?"

Notes on Chinese dating etiquette

In the context of a date, understanding Chinese dating etiquette is vital. Men are often expected to take the lead in asking questions, planning the date, and paying the bill.

However, these expectations can vary based on personal preferences and modern dating norms. Politeness, honesty, and modesty are universally valued in the Chinese dating scene .

Avoid controversial topics, respect their customs and family, and show genuine interest in getting to know them.

a. Taking initiative

Men are often expected to take the lead in various aspects of the date. This action could involve asking questions to keep the conversation flowing, planning the date, and even paying the bill. However, these traditional expectations are not hard and fast rules and can vary based on personal preferences and modern dating norms.

b. Respect their customs and family:

Chinese culture holds family values in high regard. Therefore, it's essential to be respectful of their customs and family. This action could mean showing interest when they speak about their family or understanding their participation in traditional family gatherings and celebrations.

c. Show genuine interest:

Finally, show genuine interest in getting to know them. This action could involve asking about their hobbies using phrases like " Nǐ xǐhuān zuò shénme " (你喜欢做什么?), meaning "What do you like to do?" or expressing curiosity about their preferences in music, food, or books.

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9 professional phrases to introduce yourself in Chinese in a business setting

Understanding how to introduce yourself in Chinese in a business environment is crucial. Here are 10 business phrases to help introduce yourself and network:

1. " Nǐn hǎo, wǒ de míngzi shì... " (您好，我的名字是...)

Politeness is paramount in a professional setting. Use the formal " nǐn hǎo " (您好), meaning "hello," instead of the more casual " nǐ hǎo ."

For example, " Nǐn hǎo, wǒ de míngzi shì James " (您好，我的名字是James) translates to "Hello, my name is James."

2. " Wǒ shì...gōngsī de... " (我是...公司的...)

It's often important to mention your company affiliation and role within it.

So, " Wǒ shì Apple gōngsī de CEO " (我是Apple公司的CEO) translates to "I am the CEO of Apple."

3. " Wǒ zài...fēn gōngsī gōngzuò " (我在...分公司工作)

To specify your work location, use " Wǒ zài...fēn gōngsī gōngzuò " (我在...分公司工作).

For example, " Wǒ zài Zhōngguó fēn gōngsī gōngzuò " (我在中国分公司工作) means "I work in the China branch."

4. " Wǒ de gōngsī wèiyú... " (我的公司位于...)

To express the location of your company, use " Wǒ de gōngsī wèiyú... " (我的公司位于...).

For example, " Wǒ de gōngsī wèiyú Shànghǎi " (我的公司位于上海) means "My company is located in Shanghai."

5. " Wǒmén gōngsī zhuānyè yú... " (我们公司专业于...)

To express your company's area of expertise, use " Wǒmén gōngsī zhuānyè yú... " (我们公司专业于...).

For example, " Wǒmén gōngsī zhuānyè yú jìsuànjī kēxué " (我们公司专业于计算机科学) means "Our company specializes in computer science."

6. " Wǒmén gōngsī de zhǔyào chǎnpǐn shì... " (我们公司的主要产品是...)

When talking about your company's main product, use " Wǒmén gōngsī de zhǔyào chǎnpǐn shì... " (我们公司的主要产品是...).

For instance, " Wǒmen gōngsī de zhǔyào chǎnpǐn shì diànnǎo " (我们公司的主要产品是电脑) translates to "Our company's main product is computers."

7. " Wǒ de zhuānyè shì... " (我的专业是...)

When discussing your field of expertise, use " Wǒ de zhuānyè shì... " (我的专业是...).

For instance, " Wǒ de zhuānyè shì jìsuànjī kēxué " (我的专业是计算机科学) means "My specialty is computer science."

8. " Wǒ de yèwù fànchóu bāokuò... " (我的业务范畴包括...)

This phrase allows you to detail the scope of your work.

" Wǒ de yèwù fànchóu bāokuò... " (我的业务范畴包括...) translates to "My business scope includes..."

9. " Wǒ yǐqián gōngzuò zài... " (我以前工作在...)

This phrase allows you to discuss your past work experience.

It translates to "I used to work at..."

5 Chinese business etiquette notes

Navigating Chinese business introductions requires a blend of cultural knowledge, linguistic ability, and an understanding of professional etiquette .

Here are some critical points to consider while making business introductions:

a. Use formal language:

In Chinese business culture, formal language is often used to show respect. This action includes using formal versions of sentences, professional titles, and polite expressions.

Remember, the phrase " wǒ shì " (我是), meaning "I am," is usually followed by your professional title and full name.

b. Exchange of business cards:

Business cards are highly valued in China, and their exchange is a significant part of the introduction process. When receiving a business card, use both hands to show respect. Please take a moment to read it carefully before placing it in a cardholder or a safe place.

c. Respect the hierarchy:

Like the general cultural norm, age, and hierarchical position significantly influence interactions in Chinese business culture. Make sure to greet the senior-most person first and always show due respect to individuals with higher positions.

d. Achieve brevity and clarity:

While making self-introductions in business contexts, be concise and clear. Chinese business professionals appreciate brevity and directness. Hence, your introduction could include your name, your role, and the organization you represent, followed by a brief overview of your business goals.

e. Remember the importance of titles:

Chinese people often prefer being addressed by their titles instead of their first names, particularly in professional settings. Therefore, remember to use their correct titles, such as " lǎoshī " (老师) for a teacher or " zhǔrèn " (主任) for a director.

BONUS: Chinese vocabulary list related to introductions

General chinese introductions etiquette for first impressions.

Understanding Chinese culture can help when you introduce yourself in Chinese. Chinese people heavily value respect and formality during first-time introductions, which are usually accompanied by a handshake or, occasionally, a slight bow.

So, refrain from making prolonged eye contact as it might be perceived as challenging or disrespectful.

a. Emphasize respect

Expressing respect toward the other person is vital when introducing yourself in Chinese. This action can be done using polite phrases such as " qǐngwèn " (请问), which translates to "May I ask."

b. Practice humility

I n Chinese culture, humility is a prized trait. When introducing yourself, remember to downplay your achievements. Use phrases such as " wǒ hái zài xuéxí " (我还在学习), meaning "I am still learning," to express modesty.

c. Give compliments

Chinese culture encourages giving compliments during introductions. However, make sure your compliments are sincere and appropriately timed.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the common response after a self-introduction.

Typically, after someone introduces themselves, the other person responds with " hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ " (很高兴认识你), which translates to "nice to meet you."

Is it common to mention your age during introductions in China?

In casual settings, it might be common, especially among young people. However, mentioning age is only typical if relevant in a professional or formal business setting.

Should I bow when introducing myself in China?

In China, a slight nod or bow is common when greeting someone, especially in a formal setting. However, a handshake is also acceptable, especially in business settings.

How should I introduce myself to a group in China?

When introducing yourself to a group in China, start by greeting everyone and then introduce yourself. Remember to maintain eye contact with everyone as you speak.

For example, " Dàjiā hǎo, wǒ de míngzi shì... " (大家好，我的名字是...), which translates to "Hello everyone, my name is..."

Should I use my English name or Chinese name when introducing myself?

That depends on the situation. If you introduce yourself to Chinese individuals who may have difficulty pronouncing foreign names, you should use a Chinese name.

However, using your English name with Chinese pronunciation is also acceptable.

Wrapping it up

Congratulations ! Whether it's to meet new friends, go on a date, or for professional networking, knowing how to introduce yourself in Chinese is an important step to making connections and building up how to speak Chinese with confidence.

Practice these phrases to impress your colleagues and impress them with your Chinese language skills.

Each step in learning Chinese brings you closer to understanding a fascinating culture, making new Chinese friends, and gaining a valuable skill that opens up a world of opportunities.

Jing You is a Chinese native who grew up in the Fujian province and soaked in the Chinese culture while living with her grandparents. She later moved to Singapore to pursue further education. However, she has always been passionate about the Mandarin language despite being in an environment that speaks English predominantly. She was involved in multiple Mandarin and Chinese culture programmes in schools, and brought this passion forward by tutoring elementary school students Mandarin in her adulthood.

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