Matthew in Chinese
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: gift of God
The standard Chinese transliteration of Matthew, pronounced Mǎ Xiū. The characters are chosen for sound: 马 (mǎ, "horse"), 修 (xiū, "to cultivate; slender"). Native speakers will immediately recognize it as the name Matthew.
Character Breakdown
Note: Reads as the name "Matthew" to native speakers; the characters are chosen for sound, so don't expect a poetic meaning. Traditional form 馬修 differs from simplified 马修; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
A Chinese-style given name inspired by the meaning of Matthew ("gift of God"), expressing love, joy and blessings: 天 (tiān, "heaven, sky") + 赐 (cì, "to bestow; gift").
Character Breakdown
Note: A meaning-based Chinese given name; it will not sound like your English name, so pair it with an explanation if that matters to you. Traditional form 天賜 differs from simplified 天赐; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Opens with 马 (mǎ, "horse"), which echoes the first sound of Matthew (Mǎ), and adds 天 (tiān, "heaven, sky") for love, joy and blessings. It reads like a natural Chinese given name with a nod to your English one.
Character Breakdown
Note: Looks and sounds like a genuine Chinese given name while still echoing your name; a popular choice for tattoos. Traditional form 馬天 differs from simplified 马天; pick one script and keep it consistent. Use a proper calligraphy font and have a native speaker check the final stencil (stroke order and orientation).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you write Matthew in Chinese?
The most common way is 马修 (traditional: 馬修), pronounced Mǎ Xiū. This is the standard phonetic transliteration you would see in Chinese media and translations.
What does 马修 mean?
马修 is a sound-based transliteration, so as a whole it simply means "Matthew". Individually: 马 (mǎ) = horse; 修 (xiū) = to cultivate; slender. If you want real meaning, try 天赐 (Tiān Cì), inspired by the meaning of Matthew: "gift of God".
Which Chinese name for Matthew is best for a tattoo?
Choose 马修 if you want people to recognize your name, 天赐 if you prefer meaning over sound, or 马天 for a natural-sounding Chinese name that still echoes Matthew. Whatever you pick, use a calligraphy font and ask a native speaker to check the final design.