Title & Honorific Guide 🎩
What should you call your Chinese contact? Enter their surname and role to get the right honorific instantly.
Chinese surnames come first. Wang Fang's surname is Wang.
Recommended honorifics for
Why Titles Matter So Much in China
In Chinese culture, using the wrong title — or no title at all — sends a strong social signal. First names are reserved for close peers. Calling a senior executive by their first name in a business setting is considered disrespectful, similar to calling your boss by their first name without invitation in a very traditional workplace.
The 总 (zǒng) system
总 (zǒng) is the most versatile and universally safe title for business leaders. It means "general" or "chief" and can be applied to virtually any senior leader. 王总 (Wáng zǒng) for General Manager Wang, 张总 (Zhāng zǒng) for Director Zhang. When in doubt, 姓+总 is your safe default for anyone senior.
When can you use first names?
In peer friendships that have developed over time, first names (or even nicknames) are common. In a new business relationship, always start formal and wait for the other person to invite informality. "Call me Fang" is the signal you need.
WeChat vs in-person
WeChat has made Chinese professional communication significantly more casual. Many Chinese executives will use a friendlier tone on WeChat than in meetings. But always start formal — use 您 (nín, formal you) and the correct title until they switch to 你 (nǐ, informal you) first.