小
xiǎo
Small, little, young
小 (xiǎo) — familiar address with surname
小 (xiǎo) + Surname
HSK 13.0
Pattern diagram
小Surname
Rule structure
小 (xiǎo) before a surname is a colloquial way to address someone familiar, usually younger or lower in status: 小王 (Xiǎo Wáng), 小李 (Xiǎo Lǐ). Here 小 (xiǎo) does not mean "small"; it signals closeness and informality. This address fits colleagues, friends, or acquaintances, but not formal situations.
Rule structure
小 (xiǎo) before a surname is a colloquial way to address someone familiar, usually younger or lower in status: 小王 (Xiǎo Wáng), 小李 (Xiǎo Lǐ). Here 小 (xiǎo) does not mean "small"; it signals closeness and informality. This address fits colleagues, friends, or acquaintances, but not formal situations.
Examples
小王，你好！
Xiǎo Wáng, nǐ hǎo!
Xiao Wang, hello!
小李，你喝茶吗？
Xiǎo Lǐ, nǐ hē chá ma?
Xiao Li, would you like some tea?
Examples
小王，你好！
Xiǎo Wáng, nǐ hǎo!
Xiao Wang, hello!
小李，你喝茶吗？
Xiǎo Lǐ, nǐ hē chá ma?
Xiao Li, would you like some tea?
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “familiar address with surname” in Chinese with 小?
Use the structure: 小 (xiǎo) + Surname. For example: 小王，你好！ — “Xiao Wang, hello!”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
小王，你好！ — “Xiao Wang, hello!”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 1.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 1 grammar rules
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没有 — negation of “have”
没 (méi) + 有 (yǒu) + Noun
在 — actions in progress
(正 (zhèng)) 在 (zài) + Verb
还…呢 — still in progress
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都 — emphasizing quantity
Subj. + 都 (dōu) + Predicate / Verb Phrase