金
jīn/t͡ɕin⁵⁵/
The phrase "kim" in Chinese is translated as 金 (jīn).
金 is used to refer to a common Korean family name.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is jīn. The IPA is /tɕin⁵⁵/.
Did you know?
- The surname represented by 金 is a direct translation of the Manchu imperial surname 'Aisin', which means 'gold'.
- In Chinese culture and the Five Elements theory, 金 represents the element of metal, which is associated with the autumn season and the color white.
- The character 金 can be read as jīn for gold or as jīn in the context of a surname, but in some classical contexts it is used to refer to bells.
Examples in context
- 我和金同年。Kim and I are the same age.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 金 when comparing ages with someone.Tatoeba #892511 by Martha, translation #63208 by CN
- 金先生是我们的老师。Jīn xiānsheng shì wǒmen de lǎoshī.Mr. Kim is our teacher.
- 这位女士姓金。Zhè wèi nǚshì xìng Jīn.This lady's surname is Kim.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new employee at the office.
- 雨婷 Yuting那个新同事姓什么？Nàge xīn tóngshì xìng shénme?What is that new colleague's surname?
- 伟 Wei她姓金。Tā xìng Jīn.Her surname is Kim.
- 雨婷 Yuting金女士很专业吗？Jīn nǚshì hěn zhuānyè ma?Is Ms. Kim very professional?
- 伟 Wei是的，她很优秀。Shì de, tā hěn yōuxiù.Yes, she is excellent.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 金, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 金, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
