Thread by @XiranJayZhao

Pronunciation guide for Chinese names written in pinyin:

Ones that end with "ang" (Wang, Yang): Pronounced "ung" (so Wung, Zhung)

Ones that start with a C (Cai, Cui): Pronounced "ts" (so Tsai, Tsui)

Ones that end with "iu" (Liu, niu): Pronounced "yo" (Lyo, Nyo)

1/?

Ones with "ui" (Hui): Pronounced "wey" (Hwey)

Ones that end with "uan" (Yuan): It's not 2 syllables, just say it fast, "Yuen"

Ones with E (He): It's like a "uhh" sound instead (Huh)

Ones with X (Xi): It's like a "Shh" sound (Shee)

Ones with Q (Qiou): A "Ch" sound (Cho)

As for why these don't "match" English expectations, this is because the pinyin system was designed for Mandarin Chinese speakers' own use, not for English speakers to understand. Like, all of this is perfectly intuitive to me because i grew up with the system

OH NO I FUCKED UP THE FIRST POST LOL

Yang is just Yung, NOT Zhung (was thinking of Zhang)

Also

Ones with singular "I" (Shi): Oh god it's like..."er" (Sher) (the r gets REALLY exaggerated in northern china, lol)

Ones with "zh" (Zhi): Pronounced "J" (Jer)

Ones with "ou" (Chou): Pronounced "oh" (Choh)

EVERYTHING I'VE LISTED ARE APPROXIMATES

Oh god there's also "un" (Sun, Kun, Jun) which is like..different depending on what it's paired with?? (Suen, Kuen, but Jwun)

Amendment to the singular I one: It's only err when it's Zhi, Shi, Chi, and Ri (Jer, Sher, Cher, Rirr). Other times it's just a ee sound, so Qi and Xi would be like Chee and Shee

PS The r's are VERY light! (unless you're a northerner loool)

and it occurred to me that some of you might also be pronouncing "ie"s wrong (Xie, Jie). It makes a "yeh" sound, so Shyeh, Jyeh.

Absolutely do not call your older sister JEE JEE

ALSO NOTE THAT THESE NAMES ARE ALL MANDARIN CHINESE NAMES WRITTEN IN PINYIN, because pinyin was designed for Mandarin. You might not be able to tell if someone's name is in Mandarin though, so the best course to take is always ask them how they pronounce their name!