I should be writing Zhao Yunlan rather than just Zhao, right?
Yeah, the way I understand it, you wouldn't use the surname on its own, or a one-syllable name on its own, in Chinese. Full name is pretty much always appropriate and (unlike in English) never too formal.
"Old" (lao) and "Little" (xiao) are both ways to form nicknames (for people older or younger than you, mostly).
"Brother" (ge, older brother) or "sister" (jie, older sister) are also both ways to form nicknames, both for friends and in a romantic context.
(This twitter thread has excellent explanations, but it also mentions two small things that happen later during the show, so proceed with caution.)
Emma is convinced this show is going to involve reincarnation because Zhao Yunlan is a normal human and could not be thousands of years old. IDK I don't think that's where it's headed. *shrugs* She's really good at predicting plot lines, though, so maybe it will.
Hee! This is so fascinating to read. I'm really looking forward to what you'll both say after you get to that part. :)
(Also, episode 8 is glorious. Can't wait for your reaction! :D)
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Yeah, the way I understand it, you wouldn't use the surname on its own, or a one-syllable name on its own, in Chinese. Full name is pretty much always appropriate and (unlike in English) never too formal.
"Old" (lao) and "Little" (xiao) are both ways to form nicknames (for people older or younger than you, mostly).
"Brother" (ge, older brother) or "sister" (jie, older sister) are also both ways to form nicknames, both for friends and in a romantic context.
(This twitter thread has excellent explanations, but it also mentions two small things that happen later during the show, so proceed with caution.)
Emma is convinced this show is going to involve reincarnation because Zhao Yunlan is a normal human and could not be thousands of years old. IDK I don't think that's where it's headed. *shrugs* She's really good at predicting plot lines, though, so maybe it will.
Hee! This is so fascinating to read. I'm really looking forward to what you'll both say after you get to that part. :)
(Also, episode 8 is glorious. Can't wait for your reaction! :D)