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How do you refer to someone in English who is called 老张 in Chinese?


Milkybar_Kid

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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 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

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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.

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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.

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