3 ms·

Joe or Bao? Isn't "Bao" a dumpling?

• momothereal 6y ago
  It's both a surname and can mean other things (mostly depends on tones). Bāo and Bào are surnames. The "bao" you're thinking of is short for bāo zi.
  • Chris2048 6y ago
    If Bāo and Bào are surnames, then it isn't similar to the forename "Joe"?
    • momothereal 6y ago
      You're technically right, but the comparison isn't completely far fetched considering: * Chinese surnames are monosyllabic, and given names are disyllabic. It'd be more awkward to say "average Joe or Xiùyīng". * Both Chinese given names and surnames are usually "real words". Just like how "Joe" is a descendant of the Hebrew "Yohanan" meaning "Graced by God", or even the many English given names that are real words: Carol, Eve, Jade, etc. It's just more common in Chinese names. * Given names are rarely used by themselves (much less than in Latin languages).