---
title: "How to Pronounce Chinese Names and Words, With Audio | Mandarin The Wild"
description: "How to pronounce Chinese names: Xiaomi, Huawei, Qingdao, Xi Jinping, xiaolongbao and more, each from two native voices, sound by sound with its tones, spelled the English way. Or type any Chinese."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

Free tool · No sign-up

# How to pronounce Chinese names

Hear any Chinese name or word from a native voice, sound by sound, with each syllable spelled the English way.

## Brands and apps

- [Xiaomi 小米 shyow-mee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xiaomi)
- [Huawei 华为 hwah-way](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/huawei)
- [BYD (Biyadi) 比亚迪 bee-yah-dee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/byd)
- [Tencent 腾讯 tung-shewn](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/tencent)
- [Baidu 百度 buy-doo](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/baidu)
- [WeChat (Weixin) 微信 way-sheen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/wechat)
- [Weibo 微博 way-baw](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/weibo)
- [Taobao 淘宝 tow-bow](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/taobao)
- [Douyin 抖音 doh-yeen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/douyin)
- [Haier 海尔 high-ar](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/haier)
- [Hisense 海信 high-sheen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/hisense)
- [Geely 吉利 jee-lee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/geely)
- [NIO (Weilai) 蔚来 way-lie](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/nio)
- [Xpeng 小鹏 shyow-pung](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xpeng)
- [Moutai 茅台 mow-tie](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/moutai)
- [Tsingtao beer 青岛啤酒 cheeng-dow-pee-jyoh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/tsingtao)
- [Alipay (Zhifubao) 支付宝 jr-foo-bow](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/alipay)
- [Meituan 美团 may-twahn](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/meituan)
- [Pinduoduo 拼多多 peen-dwaw-dwaw](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/pinduoduo)
- [Xiaohongshu (RedNote) 小红书 shyow-hoong-shoo](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xiaohongshu)
- [Zhihu 知乎 jr-hoo](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/zhihu)
- [Bilibili 哔哩哔哩 bee-lee-bee-lee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/bilibili)
- [Mixue 蜜雪冰城 mee-shweh-beeng-chung](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/mixue)
- [Luckin Coffee (Ruixing) 瑞幸咖啡 rway-sheeng-kah-fay](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/luckin-coffee)

## Places

- [Beijing 北京 bay-jeeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/beijing)
- [Shanghai 上海 shahng-high](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/shanghai)
- [Guangzhou 广州 gwahng-joh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/guangzhou)
- [Shenzhen 深圳 shun-jun](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/shenzhen)
- [Chongqing 重庆 choong-cheeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/chongqing)
- [Chengdu 成都 chung-doo](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/chengdu)
- [Xi’an 西安 shee-ahn](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xian)
- [Hangzhou 杭州 hahng-joh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/hangzhou)
- [Suzhou 苏州 soo-joh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/suzhou)
- [Nanjing 南京 nahn-jeeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/nanjing)
- [Wuhan 武汉 woo-hahn](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/wuhan)
- [Tianjin 天津 tyen-jeen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/tianjin)
- [Qingdao 青岛 cheeng-dow](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/qingdao)
- [Xiamen 厦门 shyah-mun](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xiamen)
- [Harbin 哈尔滨 hah-ar-been](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/harbin)
- [Kunming 昆明 kwun-meeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/kunming)
- [Guilin 桂林 gway-leen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/guilin)
- [Zhengzhou 郑州 jung-joh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/zhengzhou)
- [Changsha 长沙 chahng-shah](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/changsha)
- [Dalian 大连 dah-lyen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/dalian)
- [Shenyang 沈阳 shun-yahng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/shenyang)
- [Xinjiang 新疆 sheen-jyahng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xinjiang)
- [Tibet (Xizang) 西藏 shee-dzahng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/tibet-xizang)
- [Taiwan 台湾 tie-wahn](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/taiwan)
- [Taipei 台北 tie-bay](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/taipei)
- [China (Zhongguo) 中国 joong-gwaw](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/zhongguo)
- [the Yangtze (Changjiang) 长江 chahng-jyahng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/yangtze-changjiang)

## People

- [Xi Jinping 习近平 shee-jeen-peeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xi-jinping)
- [Mao Zedong 毛泽东 mow-dzuh-doong](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/mao-zedong)
- [Deng Xiaoping 邓小平 dung-shyow-peeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/deng-xiaoping)
- [Confucius (Kongzi) 孔子 koong-dzuh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/confucius-kongzi)
- [Laozi 老子 low-dzuh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/laozi)
- [Li Bai 李白 lee-buy](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/li-bai)
- [Yao Ming 姚明 yow-meeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/yao-ming)
- [Zhang Ziyi 章子怡 jahng-dzuh-yee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/zhang-ziyi)
- [Gong Li 巩俐 goong-lee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/gong-li)
- [Liu Cixin 刘慈欣 lyoh-tsuh-sheen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/liu-cixin)
- [Qin Shi Huang 秦始皇 cheen-shr-hwahng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/qin-shi-huang)
- [Sun Wukong 孙悟空 swun-woo-koong](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/sun-wukong)
- [Mulan 花木兰 hwah-moo-lahn](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/mulan)
- [Zhuge Liang 诸葛亮 joo-guh-lyahng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/zhuge-liang)
- [Guan Yu 关羽 gwahn-yew](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/guan-yu)
- [Zheng He 郑和 jung-huh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/zheng-he)

## Food and drink

- [xiaolongbao 小笼包 shyow-loong-bow](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xiaolongbao)
- [jiaozi 饺子 jyow-dzuh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/jiaozi)
- [baozi 包子 bow-dzuh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/baozi)
- [mapo tofu 麻婆豆腐 mah-paw-doh-foo](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/mapo-tofu)
- [Peking duck 北京烤鸭 bay-jeeng-kow-yah](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/peking-duck)
- [hot pot (huoguo) 火锅 hwaw-gwaw](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/hot-pot)
- [jianbing 煎饼 jyen-beeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/jianbing)
- [zongzi 粽子 dzoong-dzuh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/zongzi)
- [baijiu 白酒 buy-jyoh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/baijiu)
- [oolong tea (wulong) 乌龙茶 woo-loong-chah](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/oolong-tea)
- [pu-erh tea (pu’er) 普洱茶 poo-ar-chah](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/pu-erh-tea)
- [tangyuan 汤圆 tahng-ywen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/tangyuan)
- [mooncake (yuebing) 月饼 yweh-beeng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/mooncake)
- [boba tea (zhenzhu naicha) 珍珠奶茶 jun-joo-nigh-chah](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/boba-zhenzhu-naicha)
- [tofu (doufu) 豆腐 doh-foo](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/tofu-doufu)

## Everyday words

- [ni hao (hello) 你好 nee-how](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/ni-hao)
- [xie xie (thank you) 谢谢 shyeh-shyeh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xie-xie)
- [zai jian (goodbye) 再见 dzye-jyen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/zai-jian)
- [qi (chi) 气 chee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/qi)
- [tai chi (taiji) 太极 tie-jee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/tai-chi)
- [kung fu (gongfu) 功夫 goong-foo](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/kung-fu)
- [feng shui 风水 fung-shway](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/feng-shui)
- [yin and yang 阴阳 yeen-yahng](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/yin-yang)
- [Putonghua (Mandarin) 普通话 poo-toong-hwah](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/putonghua)
- [hanzi (Chinese characters) 汉字 hahn-dzuh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/hanzi)
- [pinyin 拼音 peen-yeen](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/pinyin)
- [xin nian kuai le (Happy New Year) 新年快乐 sheen-nyen-kwye-luh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/xin-nian-kuai-le)
- [jia you 加油 jyah-yoh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/jia-you)
- [guanxi 关系 gwahn-shee](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/guanxi)
- [mianzi (face) 面子 myen-dzuh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/mianzi)
- [shifu 师父 shr-foo](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/shifu)
- [laoshi (teacher) 老师 low-shr](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/laoshi)
- [meimei (little sister) 妹妹 may-may](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/meimei)
- [gege (big brother) 哥哥 guh-guh](https://mandarinthewild.com/how-to-pronounce/gege)

## The sounds English speakers get wrong

- **x** 西 xī shee
- **q** 去 qù chew
- **zh** 中 zhōng joong
- **c** 菜 cài tsye
- **z** 在 zài dzye
- **r** 人 rén run
- **i after z, c, s, zh, ch, sh, r** 是 shì shr
- **ü** 女 nǚ new
- **e** 饿 è uh
- **ui** 对 duì dway
- **iu** 六 liù lyoh
- **ian** 天 tiān tyen
- **ao** 好 hǎo how

## How do I pronounce a Chinese name?

Read its pinyin a syllable at a time. Most letters are close to English, but x is said like sh, q like ch, zh like j and c like ts, and each syllable has a tone. Type the name above to hear it from a native voice.

## Why are Chinese names spelled so differently from how they sound?

They are written in pinyin, China’s way of spelling Mandarin in Latin letters, which gives some letters sounds English doesn’t: Xiaomi is “shyow-mee”, Qingdao “cheeng-dow”. A few older names keep older spellings, as Tsingtao beer is Qingdao.

## Do the tones matter in a name?

Yes. The same letters with other tones can be another word: a falling tone on mǎi (buy) makes mài (sell). In a name said in English the tones are usually left out, but in Chinese they are part of it.

## More free tools

- [Chinese text to speech](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-text-to-speech)
- [Chinese name to pinyin](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-name-to-pinyin)
- [Tone practice](https://mandarinthewild.com/tone-practice)
- [Pronunciation checker](https://mandarinthewild.com/chinese-pronunciation-checker)
- [Pinyin chart](https://mandarinthewild.com/pinyin-chart)

Voices recorded for our word cards. A spelling such as “shyow-mee” is the nearest English sound, not the sound itself: hear the voices.