Discover 50+ authentic Chinese nicknames for foreigners — from cute terms of endearment to funny slang. Learn what Chinese people call foreign friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and how to pick your own Chinese nickname.
Getting a Chinese name is one thing — but getting a Chinese nickname? That's how you know you've really arrived.
Whether your Chinese friends call you 老 (+ your surname), your partner whispers 宝贝, or your coworkers just call you 老外 and laugh, Chinese nicknames are a huge part of social life. And if you're a foreigner living in China, dating a Chinese person, or just making Chinese friends online, you've probably already heard a few.
But here's the problem: many Chinese nicknames don't translate well. What sounds cute in Chinese can sound weird (or hilarious) in English. And what sounds normal in English — like "baby" — has a very different feel in Chinese.
So here's your complete guide to Chinese nicknames for foreigners: what they mean, when to use them, and which ones you should actually adopt.
In Chinese culture, names carry weight. Your full name (姓名) is formal — it's what goes on your passport, your business card, and your WeChat profile if you're being professional. But your nickname (昵称 or 外号) is where real relationships live.
Chinese people rarely call each other by full names in daily life. Instead they use:
For foreigners, getting a Chinese nickname signals: you're not just a tourist, you belong here.
If you're dating a Chinese person, you've probably already been called something adorable. Here are the most common pet names you'll hear — and what they really mean.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 宝贝 | bǎobèi | "Treasure" | Standard sweetheart term |
| 宝宝 | bǎobǎo | "Baby" | Very common among young couples |
| 小可爱 | xiǎo kě'ài | "Little cutie" | Playful and affectionate |
| 傻瓜 | shǎguā | "Silly melon" | Playful teasing, NOT an insult |
| 笨蛋 | bèndàn | "Dummy" | Same vibe as "silly" in English |
| 小猪猪 | xiǎo zhū zhū | "Little piggy" | For cute, foodie girlfriends |
| 小公举 | xiǎo gōngjǔ | "Little princess" | Spoiled princess energy |
| 老婆 | lǎopó | "Wife" | Used even before marriage |
| 心肝 | xīngān | "Heart and liver" | Super intense — you can't live without her |
Real talk: 傻瓜 (shǎguā) sounds harsh in English, but in Chinese it's pure affection. If your girlfriend calls you 傻瓜, she's being cute, not mean.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 亲爱的 | qīn'ài de | "Dear" | Universal, slightly formal |
| 哥哥 | gēgē | "Big brother" | Flirty, common in dramas |
| 先生 | xiānsheng | "Mister/Husband" | Playfully formal |
| 老公 | lǎogōng | "Husband" | Used before marriage too |
| 大野猪 | dà yězhū | "Big wild boar" | For a guy who eats a lot |
| 男神 | nán shén | "Male god" | Handsome like a celebrity |
| 坏包 | huài bāo | "Bag of badness" | For the naughty one |
Watch out: Calling your boyfriend 哥哥 (gēgē) is super common in Chinese pop culture, but if you're not Asian, some people might find it surprising. Use it naturally or don't force it.
Here's what you'll hear most often as a foreigner in China:
| Nickname | Pinyin | Meaning | When Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| 老外 | lǎowài | "Old outsider" | Generic term for any foreigner |
| 外国朋友 | wàiguó péngyǒu | "Foreign friend" | Polite, formal |
| 鬼佬 | guǐlǎo | "Ghost guy" | Only in Cantonese areas (Guangzhou, HK) |
| 大白 | dà bái | "Big white" | For tall, pale foreigners |
| 小黑 | xiǎo hēi | "Little black" | For darker-skinned foreigners |
Important note on 老外: It sounds casual but isn't offensive — it's the default way Chinese people refer to foreigners. Think of it like "foreigner" in English, not a slur. However, 鬼佬 should only be used if you're in southern China and your friends use it first.
Chinese people are very direct about physical appearance — and they use it for nicknames:
| Nickname | Pinyin | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 大个子 | dà gèzi | Tall friends (literally "big unit") |
| 小胖 | xiǎo pàng | A friend who's a bit chubby (affectionate) |
| 眼镜 | yǎnjìng | Someone who wears glasses |
| 卷毛 | juǎnmáo | Curly-haired friends |
| 长发 | chángfà | Long-haired friends |
| 高个儿 | gāo gèr | The tall one |
| 帅哥 | shuàigē | Handsome guy (used as address, not just compliment) |
| 美女 | měinǚ | Beautiful woman (used as address) |
Chinese friends might just start calling you 小胖 even if you're only slightly overweight — and it's not mean. It's how Chinese friendship works. Don't take it personally.
Chinese nicknames for close friends often use food. It's adorable:
| Nickname | Pinyin | Meaning | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 糯米 | nuòmǐ | Sticky rice | Sweet, soft personality |
| 葡萄 | pútao | Grape | Cute and round-faced |
| 可乐 | kělè | Cola | Fun, bubbly personality |
| 小甜心 | xiǎo tiánxīn | Little sweetheart | Literally "little sweet heart" |
| 草莓 | cǎoméi | Strawberry | Fresh and cute |
| 布丁 | bùdīng | Pudding | Soft and lovable |
If a Chinese friend calls you 糯米 (nuòmǐ), you're officially adopted.
Here's the thing — you can't really assign yourself a nickname. It has to come naturally from the people around you. But you can influence it:
Use the 小 (xiǎo) prefix — Introduce yourself as 小 + first character of your Chinese name. Example: if your Chinese name is 李伟, introduce yourself as 小伟 (Xiǎo Wěi).
Lean into your quirks — If you love eating hotpot, someone will eventually call you 火锅. Accept it with pride.
Let your Chinese friends name you — Seriously, Chinese people love giving nicknames. If they start calling you something, wear it.
Use our Chinese Name Generator first — Get a solid Chinese name, then build a nickname from it.
Some Chinese nicknames carry baggage. Skip these:
| Nickname | Why to Avoid |
|---|---|
| 洋鬼子 | "Foreign devil" — outdated and offensive |
| 二鬼子 | "Second devil" — historically loaded |
| 番鬼 | Old Cantonese term, best left alone |
| 毛子 | Historically used for Russians, slightly derogatory |
If you're unsure about a nickname, ask a native speaker. When in doubt, stick with 小 + name or a food nickname.
Chinese nicknames are a gateway to real relationships. Whether you're dating a Chinese person, building friendships, or just hanging out with colleagues, knowing what people are calling you — and why — makes a huge difference.
And if someone calls you 大野猪? You're probably eating a lot. Embrace it.
Want to start with a proper Chinese name first? Use our free Chinese Name Generator to find a name that fits your personality, then let your friends turn it into a nickname naturally.
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