Im chinese.. would it be dumb to get the chinese character of my last name tattooed on my back?

Question

and if i do, where should i put it? other tattoo suggestions appreciated (i have two, one on my lower back and one on my shoulder blade, i want one more but i dont know of what...i like small to medium sized and subtle ones)

Answer 1

Hi,

My husband has my name on his arm in chinese writing, he is Italian, what I am trying to say is, you never see anyone have writing in Italian or German, chinese writing looks good, can I give you advice though where to put it, I also have 2 tattoos, 1 on my hip, & also 1 on my lower back, I can cover them, I know of girls who have them on there tummys around their belly buttons, (not good if you plan to have a baby one day as it stretches & ends up looking disgusting) honestly too many tattoos on a girl look terrible, dont over do it, because when your older, you may not like it as much. Why dont you just add to the one on your lowere back, or get it put on your hip. Girls I know who have them around their ankles or arms regret they got it coz if they have to wear a top coz its hot & your going some where elegant you dont want a tattoo on your arm, when you get older your body changes, so will the tattoo.

Answer 2

Let me give you a definitive answer. Some of the previous suggestions are correct up to a point but then added something that misled. When a non-Chinese asks for their name to be represented in Chinese, it depends on the dialect the Chinese person speaks because each dialect has its own way of pronouncing the characters. Generally, non-Chinese names should be rendered according to the official Manadarin dialect, and it is usually a phonetic rendering, i.e. characters are chosen so as to sound as close as possible to the non-Chinese name, e.g. John will be rendered as 'Yo-Han' - using 2 characters as Chinese is monosyllabic (each character representing only one sound). If the person that is doing the rendering is educated and familiar with the chinese classics, the characters will be chosen so as to produce a propitious and flattering combination. This means that the same non-Chinese name may not use the same characters - it depends on the person doing it. Over the years, the demand for such a service has meant that books have been produced to show the equivalent Chinese characters for many non-Chinese names. Englightened tatooists use them. Occasionally, someone may be given a Chinese name that has no relation to its non-Chinese sound, but that is not the question posed here. Then there are those who take the mickey on the unwitting victim. It is rarely that a Chinese would perpetrate such a destardly prank, unless on a deserving 'kuei-low'.

Answer 3

It might sound like it would be cute... but in all seriousness, do you need a tattoo to remind you what letter your last name begins with?

And what happens if you get married and take his last name? Then it will just look like some random letter.

If you ARE Chinese, and speak and read the language fluently, then pick a Chinese symbol that's more meaninful than just a letter.

But if you just want a small, subtle tattoo... there are PLENTY of other things you can get besides your last initial.

Just take some time and give it some thought. You'll thank yourself later.

Answer 4

Stupid is having no ties to the Chinese culture and getting a Chinese character tattooed on you.

I say go for it. I would put it on the other shoulder blade, but I like symmetry. Just mess around with the idea in your head and don't rush yourself.

Answer 5

I'm Chinese as well...my cousin is prob going to get that on her spine this upcoming month...the only thing that I would say re: inking your last name on your back is that if you get married...and your last name changes, then it may not be your last name anymore? Or not your married or new last name that is - if u take your husbands last name. If you really want it though, why not? If you're getting it though just to complete your tattoos, I would hold off and wait for something you're sure about.

Also - at least you're Chinese and the character is something significant to you. I've seen quite a few people with tattoos on them that think they say something in Chinese but in reality, the character is wrong or it says something else.

Answer 6

NO!! It wouldn't be dumb at all! The dumb ones are the people that get Chinese symbols that they can't even read on their bodies. YOU are precisely the one that should be getting those very beautiful symbols tatooed on you. Go for it. Shoulder is nice. So is hip bone. If you have a nice stomach, I think a couple inches under your breast is neat too. Lower back is too trendy.

Answer 7

if you like the idea then DO IT. tattoos are supposed to be unique to you and make you happy. screw what anyone else thinks. i have a tattoo on my hip that my man and several other ppl hate but i absolutely LOVE IT(it's a playboy bunny). if you want it, go for it, it's better to have a unique tattoo like your last name than something that everybody else has

Answer 8

i have my 3rd tatto at the back of my neck.
its a chinese character means "dream" and thats the best place you can put a one word chinese character.(i have my other tattoos at my lower back hip and at my upper right back).

Answer 9

It would not be dumb. It would be cool. Put it between your shoulder blades.

Answer 10

I would suggest you to make it under your armpitts-to the left (right) of your breast.
It will look faboulously sexy.
As far as I get out of needle fear, I will make it there.
I saw it in the movie : Jeniffer Tilly had it in Bound.