人の名前
hito no namae
The Japanese phrase for "a person's name" is 人の名前 (hito no namae).
人の名前 refers to the name that a specific individual is called. When you are directly asking someone for their name, it is more natural and polite to use the honorific form お名前 rather than using 人の名前.
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of 人 (hito) meaning 'person', の (no) acting as a possessive particle and 名前 (namae) meaning 'name'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, it is common to address someone using their first name followed by Han in place of San.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle の (no) functions similarly to the English possessive 's, linking the person to the name.
How do you pronounce it?
hito no namae
Did you know?
- The word 名前 (namae) literally translates to 'raw name'. In ancient times, the 'raw' or true name was considered a secret that could give others power over a person.
- Many Japanese people have multiple ways to read their 名前 because different kanji characters can have multiple pronunciations.
- In many professional settings, instead of asking for a person's 'namae', people will ask for your 'meishi' (business card). Presenting or receiving a card is the standard way to exchange names without the awkwardness of verbal inquiry.
Examples in context
- その人の名前は何ですか？sono hito no namae wa nan desu ka?What is that person's name?
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are looking at an old photo album.
- 結衣 Yuiこの人は誰か覚えてる？Kono hito wa dare ka oboeteru?Do you remember who this person is?
- 陽太 Yotaうーん、人の名前が出てこない。Uun, hito no namae ga dete konai.Hmm, the person's name isn't coming to me.
- 結衣 Yuiきっと親戚の人だよ。Kitto shinseki no hito dayo.They are probably a relative.
- 陽太 Yota後でお母さんに聞いてみるね。Ato de okaasan ni kiite miru ne.I will ask my mother later.
