Chinese honorifics and
diminuitives are quite a bit different from
Japanese honorifics. They tend to be more
practical and less involved with abstract forms of
etiquette. But it's important to use the right one, anyway. Here are some examples, all in
Mandarin, with the example name being family name LI:
- Xiao LI: Little Li, used with
children or among adult
friends. Rarely, but sometimes, used to distinguish a younger person with the same name as an older/more important person, who would be Da LI, or Big Li.
- Lao LI: Elderly Li, used with those 40 and older if they are older than you.
- LI Yeye, LI Nainai, LI Shushu, LI Daniang: Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Auntie. Traditionally used for elderly strangers, now usually only used for same-generation friends of one's
grandparents (first two) or
parents (second two).
- LI Laoshi:
Teacher Li. Used for any kind of teacher, from a dance
instructor to a
professor.
- LI
Shifu:
Master Li. Used for any kind of skilled person, possibly a
teacher of a skill (such as a
kung fu teacher) or
professional.
- LI Tongzhi:
Comrade Li. Essentially
obsolete.
- LI Xiansheng: Mr. Li. Xiansheng means "
gentleman."
- LI Xiaojie: Miss Li. Xiaojie means "
little sister." A bit
old-fashioned.
- LI Taitai: Mrs. Li. Old-fashioned, but coming back into style.