Name Pronunciation (Yale Romanization)
After considering the matter carefully, I think the Yale romanizations are as easy to read and more accurate than those old pronunciations I used to have up here. So I've put the Yale up instead. Tones are not marked here. (Looking for a full romanization chart?) Style names are now also listed; they are typed with a space to be more readable.
The American voice actors in Dynasty Warriors obviously don't know Chinese, so they mispronounce the names all the time. Just because they say "cow cow" doesn't mean that's the right way to say it. Need help reading the names?
| Name | Yale (Mandarin) | Style | Yale (Mandarin) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Yale (Mandarin) | Style | Yale (Mandarin) |
| Shu 蜀 | |||
| Zhao Yun | Jau Yun | Zi Long | Dz Lung |
| Guan Yu | Gwan Yu | Yun Chang | Yun Chang |
| Zhang Fei | Jang Fei | Yi De | Yi De |
| Zhuge Liang | Juke Lyang | Kong Ming | Kung Ming |
| Liu Bei | Lyou Bei | Xuan De | Sywan De |
| Ma Chao | Ma Chau | Meng Qi | Meng Chi |
| Huang Zhong | Hwang Jung | Han Sheng | Han Sheng |
| Jiang Wei | Jyang Wei | Bo Yue | Bwo Ywe |
| Wei Yan | Wei Yan | Wen Chang | Wen Chang |
| Pang Tong | Pang Tung | Shi Yuan | Shr Ywan |
| Yue Ying | Ywe Ying | n/a | n/a |
| Guan Ping | Gwan Ping | n/a | n/a |
| Xing Cai | Sying Tsai | n/a | n/a |
| Wei 魏 | |||
| Xiahou Dun | Syahou Dwen | Yuan Rang | Ywan Rang |
| Dian Wei | Dyan Wei | Zi Man | Dz Man |
| Xu Zhu | Syu Ju | Zhong Kang | Jung Kang |
| Cao Cao | Tsau Tsau | Meng De | Meng De |
| Xiahou Yuan | Syahou Ywan | Miao Cai | Myau Tsai |
| Zhang Liao | Jang Lyao | Wen Yuan | Wen Ywan |
| Sima Yi | Szma Yi | Zhong Da | Jung Da |
| Xu Huang | Syu Hwang | Gong Ming | Gung Ming |
| Zhang He | Jang He | Jun Yi | Jyun Yi |
| Zhen Ji | Jen Ji | n/a | n/a |
| Cao Ren | Tsau Ren | Zi Xiao | Dz Syau |
| Cao Pi | Tsau Pi | Zi Huan | Dz Hwan |
| Pang De | Pang De | Ling Ming | Ling Ming |
| Wu 呉 | |||
| Zhou Yu | Jou Yu | Gong Jin | Gung Jin |
| Lu Xun | Lu Syun | Bo Yan | Bwo Yan |
| Taishi Ci | Taishr Tsz | Zi Yi | Dz Yi |
| Sun Shang Xiang | Swen Shang Syang | n/a | n/a |
| Sun Jian | Swen Jyan | Wen Tai | Wen Tai |
| Sun Quan | Swen Chywan | Zhong Mou | Jung Mou |
| Lu Meng | Lyu Meng | Zi Ming | Dz Ming |
| Gan Ning | Gan Ning | Xing Ba | Sing Ba |
| Huang Gai | Hwang Gai | Gong Fu | Gung Fu |
| Sun Ce | Swen Tse | Bo Fu | Bwo Fu |
| Da Qiao | Da Chyau | n/a | n/a |
| Xiao Qiao | Syau Chyau | n/a | n/a |
| Zhou Tai | Jou Tai | You Ping | You Ping |
| Ling Tong | Ling Tung | Gong Ji | Gung Ji |
| Others その他 | |||
| Diao Chan | Dyau Chan | n/a | n/a |
| Lu Bu | Lyu Bu | Fengxian | Feng Syan |
| Dong Zhuo | Dung Jwo | Zhong Yin | Jung Yin |
| Yuan Shao | Ywan Shau | Ben Chu | Ben Chu |
| Zhang Jiao | Jang Jyau | n/a | n/a |
| Meng Huo | Meng Hwo | n/a | n/a |
| Zhu Rong | Ju Rung | n/a | n/a |
| Fu Xi | Fu Syi | n/a | n/a |
| Nu Wa | Nu Wa | n/a | n/a |
| Zuo Ci | Dzwo Tsz | Yuan Fang | Ywan Fang |
Vowel Sounds
- 'A' is an 'ah' sound, as in "father" and "Zelda."
- 'E' is an 'eh' sound, as in "bet" and "Ken."
- 'U' is an 'oo' sound, as in "moot" and "loon."
- Words ending in 'au' rhyme with "Ow!"
- Words ending in 'ou' rhyme with "oh" and "no."
- If you have trouble with 'sy,' it's similar the 'sh' in "sheep.'
Last updated: 17 April 2008.