Chinese Names

  Most Chinese names consist of two or three characters,  or words, with the first being the surname. If a person is called Wang Zhonghua, for example, "Wang" is his family name and "Zhonghua" is his given name. In Chinese culture, to call someone by his given

name is a privilege reserved for family members and close friends. Therefore, to address someone politely, you should use either the full name, such as Wang Zhonghua, or the last name plus a title, such as Wnag lao shi ( Teacher Wang ).
  In informal situations, Chinese call each other by their last names preceded by xiao (young)or lao (old). For example, if Wang Zhonghua was a young man, he would be called Xiao Wang.

  If the other person is not very familiar, Chinese often use the address tong zhi ( commrade ) or, more respectfully, shi fu ( master worker ). In crowded stores, you will even hear the salesclerk being called shi fu, in hopes of faster service.
  In China, the titles xian sheng ( Mr.), taii tai (Mrs.), and xiao jie ( Miss ) are considered elitist and therefore not

normally used. Chinese do address their foreign friends by these titles, however, out of courtesy.
    Seeing off A Friend

  It is an age-old custom in China to see friends to the gate when they leave one's home. Many classic poems, in fact, describe the sadness of that moment of final parting. Here are some phrases that are still used every time a guest leaves.

Let me see you off. Wo song song ni.
No, no, it's not necessary. Bu song, bu song.
It's nothing, don't worry. Mei guan xi, mei guan xi.
Please don't trouble -- this is far enough. Qing liu bu.
All right, pardon my not seing you out farther. Shu bu yuan song.
    What You Will Hear
feel embarrassed bu hao yi si
I'll be there. Don't leave without me. Bu jian bu san.
Do you smoke? Chou yan ma?
Long time no see. Hao jiu bu jian.
welcome huan ying
That's settled, then. Jiu zhe yang ba.
It's a disaster. Zao gao le.
What happened here? Zen me hui shi?