Milkybar_Kid Posted June 30, 2015 at 03:46 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 03:46 AM Hello, If you were talking to a non-Chinese speaker about a person who is called 老张 in Chinese, how would you refer to them? I was thinking of using “Old Zhang” but this may seem a little bit insulting and not really reflect the affection of the term 老 in Chinese. Then again, if I used a transliteration such as “Lao Zhang” surely my non-Chinese speaking friend would get the wrong impression that this person’s official name is “Lao”. What would you do? I really don’t want to spend five minutes giving my friend a lecture on the intricacies of the Chinese language. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymoose Posted June 30, 2015 at 03:59 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 03:59 AM Mr Zhang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonic_Duck Posted June 30, 2015 at 04:23 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 04:23 AM 老张 Mr. Zhang 小张 Zhang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted June 30, 2015 at 05:04 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 05:04 AM I'd go with Lao Zhang. Lao's an honorific, and English has no problem with honorifics, even when they're in a foreign language. Who ever thought Señor Wences' first name was Señor? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylee Posted June 30, 2015 at 06:43 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 06:43 AM It is an honorific? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
889 Posted June 30, 2015 at 07:18 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 07:18 AM Gee, I've always taken it as an honorific. You think maybe I've over-estimated my friends' esteem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lu Posted June 30, 2015 at 08:17 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 08:17 AM It depends, I think. Just 'Zhang' is fine I think. 'Mr Zhang' also works, but it's more formal. Or you could just use 'Lao Zhang' and explain if it's ever necessary. There are plenty of people with nicknames or who are addressed with something that's not their whole name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted June 30, 2015 at 09:19 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 09:19 AM I have heard Master used, as in someone who is skilled in an art or technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hofmann Posted June 30, 2015 at 09:39 AM Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 09:39 AM I prefer Mr. Zhang. I don't think the Anglosphere is ready for Lao as an honorific. Señor might work because of extensive Hispanosphere contact, but even then, I'd prefer the firmly English Mister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkybar_Kid Posted June 30, 2015 at 10:21 AM Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 at 10:21 AM Mr. Zhang seems perfect. Thank you for all of your help everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vellocet Posted July 1, 2015 at 04:56 AM Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 at 04:56 AM Ol' Zhang. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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