Robert Downey as Ironman in China中国式的钢铁侠

Lighting up the theaters next Friday will be Ironman 3 in China, starring Robert Downey Jr.

He’s gained much popularity not only from being Ironman but Sherlock Holmes & other cool characters in some awesome movies.

Robert Downey Jr. has a pretty big fan base in China as well.

Nickname & Origin

Robert John Downey Jr: 小萝卜头 (xiǎo luó bo tóu)

“Robert Downey” translates directly into “罗伯特唐尼” (luō bó tè táng ní). The Chinese have created a homonym nickname: 萝卜头 since it sounds like 罗伯特!

小萝卜头 in China

Downey’s presence is splashed all over China’s tieba and renren pages. On China’s 牛男NEO明星, Robert Downey got a quick minute long segment of his autobiography and mini filmography.

With the new Ironman 3 movie hitting theaters, a lot of buzz has been generated about this movie.

Some articles are saying that it’s one of the most awaited movies of 2013. This may have to do with how some of Ironman 3 was filmed in China.

Famous Chinese actor Wang Xueqi stars as Dr. Wu in Ironman 3. He talks with Downey about the Spring Festival, wher it turns out, it’s Downey’s 本命年 (happens every 12 years when it’s your year on the Chinese calendar) since he was born in the year of the snake.

As if all of this wasn’t enough, Robert even specifically addressed the Chinese audience on CCTV wher he thanked them and told them to go watch Ironman 3.

He went to China to promote the movie and during the interview, ate some 冰糖葫芦!

Let’s take a look at how Downey’s nickname, “小萝卜头” is used in the wild!

Example A:

wǒ jiào xiǎo luó bo tóu, shì gè kě’ ài de shū.
我叫小萝卜头，是个可爱的叔
I am Robert Downey, I’m a cute uncle.
Example B:

kàn kàn xiǎo luó bo tóu zài “tián xīn qiào jiā rén” zhōng biǎo xiàn de yīn yuè tiān fèn ba!
看看小萝卜头在《甜心俏佳人》中表现的音乐天分吧！
Looking at Robert Downey’s performance in “Ally McBeal’s show,” he’s got natural musical talent.
Example C:

“gāng tiě xiá” zhī hòu, xiǎo luó bo tóu yòng “rè dài jīng léi” xuān gào le zì jǐ zhuǎn xíng de yǒng qì hé jué xī
《钢铁侠》之后，小萝卜头用《热带惊雷》宣告了自己转型的勇气和决心。
After “Ironman,” Robert Downey used “” to proclaim a change in his courage and determination.
Guess we all know that at least in China, Ironman 3 should do well in the box office.