查理
Chálǐ
The English name Charles can be translated into Chinese as 查理 (Chálǐ) or 查爾斯 / 查尔斯.
Meaning: given name (name)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 查理 | Chálǐ |
| 查爾斯 / 查尔斯 | Chá'ěrsī |
Which one should you use?
查爾斯 / 查尔斯 is the standard phonetic transliteration used for the formal name 'Charles', such as in the name of a monarch. In contrast, 查理 is the phonetic transliteration typically used for the diminutive or more informal version of the name, such as 'Charlie'.
How do you pronounce it?
Chálǐ
Did you know?
- In Chinese, there is no way to indicate 'diminutive' status through spelling alone, so a person named 'Charles' might find that even if they use the informal 查理, people still treat it as a formal phonetic rendering.
- The character 查 (chá) in 查理 originally means 'to examine' or 'to check', which is why it is also used as a surname in China.
- The character 斯 in 查尔斯 is a very common 'filler' character in many foreign names, often appearing in names like 'Lewis' or 'Ellis', making it a visual cue for a Western name.
Examples in context
- 我們以耶穌基督和查理斯國王之名來到這裡。We are here in the name of Jesus Christ and King Charles.This sentence is useful for seeing how to refer to King Charles using the form 查理.Tatoeba #844520 by Martha, translation #247883 by CM
- 查理斯先生是一位著名学者。Mr. Charles is a renowned scholar.
- 查理今天過生日。Chá lǐ jīntiān guò shēngrì.Charles is celebrating his birthday today.
- 請問查理在哪裡？Qǐngwèn Chá lǐ zài nǎlǐ?Excuse me, where is Charles?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking in an office about a coworker.
- 梓涵 Zihan查理今天沒來上班嗎？Chá lǐ jīntiān méi lái shàngbān ma?Is Charles not coming to work today?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，查理今天請假了。Shì de, Chá lǐ jīntiān qǐngjià le.Yes, Charles took the day off today.
- 梓涵 Zihan他是有事嗎？Tā shì yǒu shì ma?Does he have something going on?
- 志强 Zhiqiang他家裡有點事。Tā jiālǐ yǒudiǎn shì.He has some things to take care of at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “charles” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
