綽號 / 绰号
The English phrase 'nickname' can be translated into Chinese using several terms, most commonly 綽號 / 绰号. If unsure, use 綽號 / 绰号. Wiktionary also lists 外號 / 外号 (wàihào) and 花名 (huāmíng).
Meaning: familiar, invented given name (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 綽號 / 绰号 | |
| 外號 / 外号 | wàihào |
| 花名 | huāmíng |
In Chinese, different words for 'nickname' are used depending on whether the name is a friendly moniker, a professional alias or an informal label. While 綽號 / 绰号 refers to a general nickname, it can sometimes carry a slightly more formal or literary tone than the very common 外號 / 外号.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 外號 / 外号 (wàihào) literally means 'outside name'.
Which one should you use?
外號 / 外号 is a common way to refer to a nickname, whereas 花名 (huāmíng) is used for 'code names' or 'aliases' used in specific contexts like professional circles or undercover work, rather than a friendly nickname used by friends. Unlike a friendly nickname, 花名 implies a pseudonym.
Did you know?
- Some Chinese nicknames are intentionally 'ugly' or contrary to the person's actual traits, based on an old folk belief that such names ward off bad luck or evil spirits.
- A nickname created by an elder for a child is called a 乳名, which literally translates as 'milk name' because it was used during the nursing period.
- While 外號 is used for general nicknames, in historical contexts, a person had a 'courtesy name' called 字, which was a formal alternative to their given name used by peers.
Examples in context
- 我有个绰号叫小飞机。I have a nickname called "Little Airplane."
- 我的别名是“笑匠”。My nickname is "Joker."
- 在网上，很多人都用昵称代替真实姓名。Online, many people use nicknames instead of their real names.
- 因为我很高，所以我的外号叫“高个子”。Because I am tall, my nickname is "Tall Guy."
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nickname” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
