称呼

• Pinyin: chēng hu
• Hanzi breakdown: 称 = 禾 (grain) + 尔 (you, phonetic); 呼 = 口 (mouth) + 乎 (phonetic)

Meaning

To address; to call (someone by a name or title). Also used as a noun meaning 'form of address' or 'title.'

Central to Chinese social etiquette. Choosing the right 称呼 shows respect and understanding of relationships. Can refer to how you address someone or what you call them. Important in both family and professional contexts.

Examples

1. 请问我应该怎么称呼您？ May I ask how I should address you?
2. 在中国，对长辈要用尊敬的称呼。 In China, you should use respectful forms of address for elders.
3. 同事之间一般直接称呼名字就可以了。 Among colleagues, you can usually just address each other by name.

Usage Guide

Context: social, etiquette, professional

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 您可以称呼我小王。(You can call me Xiao Wang.)
• 这个称呼听起来很亲切。(This form of address sounds very warm and friendly.)

Don't Say

• 称呼他名字 (Grammatically awkward — say 叫他的名字 or 称呼他为...)

Origin & History

Compound of 称 (to call, to weigh) and 呼 (to call out). Both characters involve the act of naming or calling.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal